Hydrology: water cycle, waves & currents

Front

What is the water cycle?

Back

The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth, involving processes like evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.

Front

What is evaporation?

Back

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

Front

What is condensation?

Back

Condensation is the process by which water vapor cools and changes back into liquid water, forming clouds.

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 is runoff?

Back

Runoff is the flow of water, from rain or melting snow, that moves across the ground and returns to rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Front

What are ocean surface currents?

Back

Ocean surface currents are large-scale movements of water at the surface of the ocean, primarily driven by global wind patterns.

Front

What are deep ocean currents?

Back

Deep ocean currents are currents that occur far beneath the surface of the ocean, driven by differences in water density and temperature.

Front

What factors affect wave size?

Back

Wave size is affected by the strength of the wind, the distance the wind blows, and the length of time the wind blows.

Front

What does NOT affect the size of a wave?

Back

The salinity of the water does not affect the size of a wave.

Front

What causes ocean currents?

Back

Ocean currents are caused by a combination of wind patterns, the Earth's rotation, and differences in water density.