The Water Cycle

Front

Evaporation is the main process by which water goes from the ground to vapor in the atmosphere. Around __ percent of the water vapor in the atmosphere got there through evaporation.

Back

90

Answer explanation

Evaporation is the primary source of water vapor in the atmosphere, contributing around 90 percent. This highlights the significant role evaporation plays in the water cycle, making 90 the correct choice.

Front

What is the process called when water moves directly to vapor from ice or snow without ever melting into water?

Back

Sublimation

Answer explanation

The process when water moves directly from ice or snow to vapor without melting is called sublimation. This occurs under specific conditions of temperature and pressure, allowing solid ice to transition directly to gas.

Front

Is transpiration when plants let water out onto their leaves, which then evaporates into vapor?

Back

True

Answer explanation

True. Transpiration is the process where plants release water vapor from their leaves into the atmosphere, contributing to water cycle and cooling the plant.

Front

When water vapor in the air cools down and turns into liquid water, what is this process called?

Back

Condensation

Answer explanation

True. Condensation is indeed the process where water vapor cools and transforms into liquid water, such as when dew forms on grass or water droplets appear on a cold glass.

Front

Imagine you’re at a Taylor Swift concert and the sky starts to put on its own show—water falls from the atmosphere back to the ground, just like the confetti at the end of a concert. This can be in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or ___?

Back

hail

Answer explanation

Hail is a form of precipitation that falls from the atmosphere, similar to rain and snow. It consists of ice pellets and is a valid answer to complete the list of precipitation types.

Front

Imagine you’re at a Taylor Swift concert and it suddenly starts raining. Which of the following is NOT a way that the water on the ground could turn into vapor and disappear before the next song? A) Evaporation, B) Sublimation, C) Condensation, D) Transpiration

Back

Condensation

Answer explanation

Condensation is the process where vapor turns into liquid, not the other way around. Evaporation, sublimation, and transpiration all involve water turning into vapor.

Front

What is the process called when water changes from a liquid to a gas and vanishes into the air?

Back

Evaporation

Answer explanation

The process when water changes from a liquid to a gas is called evaporation. This occurs when water heats up and transforms into vapor, rising into the atmosphere.

Front

What is the process called when water vapor cools and forms clouds?

Back

Condensation

Answer explanation

The process when water vapor cools and forms clouds is called condensation. During this process, water vapor transitions from a gas to a liquid state, leading to cloud formation.

Front

What is the process called when water falls from clouds like rain, snow, sleet, or hail?

Back

Precipitation

Answer explanation

The process when water falls from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail is called precipitation. It is a key part of the water cycle, distinct from evaporation, condensation, and transpiration.

Front

What is the process called when water gathers in rivers, lakes, and oceans?

Back

Collection

Answer explanation

The process when water gathers in rivers, lakes, and oceans is called Collection. This is part of the water cycle, where water accumulates after precipitation, rather than evaporating or condensing.