Water Distribution and Cycle

Front

What is precipitation?

Back

Precipitation is any form of water, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface.

Front

What drives the water cycle?

Back

The major form of energy driving the water cycle is solar energy.

Front

What is the hydrosphere?

Back

The hydrosphere refers to all the water on Earth, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and groundwater.

Front

What is infiltration?

Back

Infiltration is the process by which water seeps into the ground and becomes groundwater.

Front

What happens during condensation?

Back

During condensation, water vapor in the air changes from a gas to a liquid, forming clouds.

Front

What is evaporation?

Back

Evaporation is the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas, usually due to heat.

Front

What is runoff?

Back

Runoff is the flow of water, from rain or melting snow, that moves over the ground and into bodies of water.

Front

What is transpiration?

Back

Transpiration is the process by which water is absorbed by plants and then released as vapor into the atmosphere.

Front

What is the water cycle?

Back

The water cycle is the continuous process by which water moves from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back again.

Front

What is solar energy?

Back

Solar energy is the energy from the sun that drives many processes on Earth, including the water cycle.