An Example of the Isolated System Would Be the Water Cycle

Which of the following correctly sequences the steps of how ocean water becomes some form of precipitation?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Oceans cover more than 70% (seventy percent) of the Earth and are the source of most of the water in the water cycle. What will most likely happen to the water cycle if the water temperature of the oceans increases?

• There will not be a water cycle because the water is too warm.

• There will be less precipitation due to increased temperatures.

• There will be less water in the atmosphere due to less evaporation.

• There will be more water in the atmosphere due to more evaporation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

A model of the water cycle was made using an aquarium with a glass cover, a container of ice cubes, water, and a lamp as shown in the diagram below. Which part of the water cycle causes the water droplets to form on the glass cover?

• condensation

• evaporation

• precipitation

• runoff

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

How would Earth most likely be affected if less water evaporated from the oceans during the water cycle?

• Ocean water levels would increase and there would be less precipitation.

• Ocean water levels would decrease and precipitation would stay the same.

• Ocean water levels would stay the same and there would be more precipitation.

• Ocean water levels would not be affected and precipitation would stay the same.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Susan made the following observations about outside events and recorded them in her science notebook.

 The day began with rain.

 Puddles formed on the road.

 The rain stopped and the sun began to shine.

 The puddles disappeared.

 Later, clouds began to form in the sky.

How do the parts of the water cycle relate to the events that Susan recorded in her science notebook?

• The rain was condensation. The sun making the puddles disappear was evaporation. The clouds were formed by precipitation.

• The rain was precipitation. The sun making the puddles disappear was condensation. The clouds were formed by evaporation.

• The rain was evaporation. The sun making the puddles disappear was precipitation. The clouds were formed by condensation.

• The rain was precipitation. The sun making the puddles disappear was evaporation. The clouds were formed by condensation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Precipitation constantly adds freshwater to the Earth's oceans. However, ocean levels remain relatively constant. Which of the following is the best explanation for why ocean levels remain constant?

• Ocean water is slowly seeping underground into the ocean floor.

• Ocean water is continually changing from a liquid state into a vapor.

• Humans alter the level of the oceans due to our need for drinking water.

• It is difficult to change the ocean levels due to the large size of the oceans.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Quentin creates a model of the water cycle, following the steps below.

 Quentin places a bowl of water in a terrarium along with soil, rocks, and plants.

 He then puts the lid on the terrarium and places the terrarium in a sunny location.

 The next day, he notices the amount of water in the bowl has decreased.

 Quentin then notices the rocks, soil and plants appear wet.

Which inference should Quentin make based on this observation?

• The water in the bowl decreased because some of the water froze and changed from a liquid into a solid.

• The water in the bowl decreased because some of the water condensed and changed from a liquid into a gas.

• The water in the bowl decreased because some of the water evaporated and changed from a liquid into a gas.

• The water in the bowl decreased because some of the water formed precipitation and changed from a liquid into a solid.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Shanice is learning about the water cycle. She fills two glasses with the same amount of water and draws a line with a marker at the top of the water line. Shanice covers one cup with plastic wrap and secures it with a rubber band at the top and labels this cup “1.” She labels the other cup “2” and does not do anything else to it. Her cups are shown in the diagram below.

Shanice places the two cups of water outside in the sun. Several hours later, she brings both cups in to observe what happened. Which statement explains what Shanice most likely observed and why?

• The water levels in both Cups 1 and 2 were the same because the water condensed, increasing the amount of water in each cup.

• The water levels in both Cups 1 and 2 were the same because the water evaporated, decreasing the amount of water in each cup.

• The water level in Cup 1 remained the same because Cup 1 was in a closed system, while the water level in Cup 2 decreased due to evaporation.

• The water level in Cup 1 increased because Cup 1 was in a closed system, while the water level in Cup 2 decreased due to evaporation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

A family was at the beach when they noticed clouds forming over the ocean during the day. Later, at night, they saw no clouds. Why would fewer clouds form over the ocean at night?

• The Moon evaporates the water in the clouds.

• Clouds move to the closest mountains in the area.

• Rain clouds dry up because of the Sun's heat as it sets.

• When there is no sunlight, less water gets evaporated for cloud formation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

The diagram below shows the water cycle.

Between which two numbers on the diagram is the process of precipitation occurring?

• between 1 and 2

• between 2 and 3

• between 3 and 4

• between 4 and 1

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4