4.2 The water cycle

Question 1

what is the water cycle also known as?

Answer 1

The hydrologic cycle

Question 2

water cycle processes

9 processes

Answer 2

1. evaporation
2. condensation
3. precipitation
4. transpiration
5. surface run-off
6. interception
7. infiltration
8. ground water flow
9. through-flow

Question 3

evaporation

Answer 3

the process in which liquid water turns into vapour

Question 4

condensation

Answer 4

the process in which water vapour turns into liquid water, that is formation of cloud

Question 5

Precipitation

Answer 5

water released from clouds in the form of rain, freezing rain, sleet, snow, or hail

Question 6

Transpiration

Answer 6

the evaporation of water from plant leaves

Question 7

Surface run-off

Answer 7

the process by which water runs over the ground into rivers

Question 8

Interception

Answer 8

precipitation that doesn’t reach the Earth’s surface due to being obstructed by trees and plants.

Question 9

Infiltration

Answer 9

the process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil

Question 10

Groundwater flow

Answer 10

infiltrated water flows through rocks, on top of soil

Question 11

Through flow

Answer 11

infiltrated water flows through the soil.

Question 12

why humans affect surface runoff?

Answer 12

• humans remove forests; to farm / urbanize (build houses) so less vegetation = (more) run off because vegetation intercepts / absorbs water;
• soil absorbs water, humans build roads so with the use of concrete/ asphalt / roads, etc.; soil is not exposed so there is less infiltration
• humans increase run-off;