Groundwater and Aquifers

What is an aquifer?

• A lake on Earth's surface

• A natural underground storage of fresh water

• A type of rock that repels water

• A river that flows underground

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

What is groundwater?

• Water stored in clouds

• Water that flows in rivers and lakes

• All fresh water beneath Earth's surface

• Water that evaporates into the air

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

What is infiltration?

• Water soaking into the ground

• Water flowing on the surface

• Water evaporating into the air

• Water freezing into ice

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

What is the process of a liquid changing into a gas?

• Condensation

• Precipitation

• Evaporation

• Infiltration

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which combination of factors would most likely indicate the best location for digging a well?

• Low elevation, porous soil, and large plants.

• Dense clay soil

• A dry area with no vegetation

• A rocky surface with no groundwater

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

What is most responsible for the presence of groundwater in an area?

• The number of lakes nearby

• The amount of precipitation and how well the ground absorbs water

• The amount of pollution in the area

• The size of the trees growing there

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

If the soil in an area is mostly clay, would it be a good place to dig a well?

• Yes, because clay allows water to flow quickly underground

• No, because clay does not allow water to pass through easily

• Yes, because clay holds a lot of water

• No, because clay is too soft to dig through

What is the most likely reason for groundwater to be unavailable in a specific location?

• The area has too much precipitation

• The water table is too low or the ground is not porous enough.

• The soil is too sandy

• There are too many trees

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

Label the diagram using the following terms.

d

c

b

a

Water Table

Infiltration

Aquifer

Precipitation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Why is groundwater important for communities that may not have access to a lake for water?

• Groundwater provides a reliable and accessible source of drinking water for communities without lakes.
• Groundwater is not safe for drinking without treatment.
• Groundwater is less reliable than rainwater.
• Groundwater is only useful for irrigation purposes.