Chapter 10 Vocab

Question 0

Hydrologic cycle

Answer 0

The movement of water from points of evaporation, through the atmosphere, through precipitation, and through or over the ground, returning to points of evaporation.

Question 1

Freshwater

Answer 1

Water that has a salt content of less than 0.1%

Question 2

Evaporation

Answer 2

The process whereby molecules leave the liquid state and enter the vapor or gaseous state, as, for example, when water evaporates to form water vapor. Opposite: condensation.

Question 3

Transpiration

Answer 3

The loss of water vapor from plants. Water evaporates from cells within the leaves and exits through the stomata.

Question 4

Condensation

Answer 4

The collecting of molecules from the vapor state to form the liquid state, as, for example, when water vapor condenses on a cold surface and forms droplets. Opposite: evaporation.

Question 5

Precipitation

Answer 5

Any form of moisture condensing in the air and depositing on the ground.

Question 6

Green Water

Answer 6

In the hydrologic cycle, water that is evaporated or transpired and returned as water vapor to the atmosphere; water in vapor form.

Question 7

Blue Water

Answer 7

In the hydrologic cycle, precipitation and its further movement in infiltration, runoff, surface water, and groundwater; liquid water wherever it occurs.

Question 8

Water Vapor

Answer 8

Water molecules in the gaseous state.

Question 9

Humidity

Answer 9

The amount of water vapor in the air.

Question 10

Relative Humidity

Answer 10

The percentage of moisture in the air compared with how much the air can hold at the given temperature.

Question 11

Aerosols

Answer 11

Microscopic liquid and solid particles originating from land and water surfaces and carried up into the atmosphere.

Question 12

Purification

Answer 12

For water, purification occurs whenever water is separated from the solutes and particles it contains.

Question 13

Adiabatic Cooling

Answer 13

The cooling that occurs when warm air rises and encounters lower atmospheric pressure. Adiabatic warming is the opposite process, whereby cool air descends and encounters higher pressure.

Question 14

Hadley Cell

Answer 14

A system of vertical and horizontal air circulation predominating in tropical and subtropical regions and creating major weather patterns.

Question 15

Trade Winds

Answer 15

The more or less constant winds blowing in horizontal directions over the surface as part of Hadley cells.

Question 16

Rain Shadow

Answer 16

The low-rainfall region that exists on the leeward (downwind) side of a mountain range. This rain shadow is the result of the mountain range causing precipitation on the windward side.

Question 17

Infiltration

Answer 17

The process in which water soaks into soil as opposed to running off the surface of the soil.

Question 18

Infiltration-runoff ratio

Answer 18

The ratio of the amount of water soaking into the soil to that running off the surface. The ratio is obtained by dividing the first amount by the second.

Question 19

Watershed

Answer 19

The total land area that drains directly or indirectly into a particular stream or river. The watershed is generally named from the stream or river into which it drains.

Question 20

Surface Waters

Answer 20

All bodies of water, lakes, rivers, ponds, and so on that are on Earth’s surface. Contrast with groundwater, which lies below the surface.

Question 21

Capillary Water

Answer 21

Water that clings in small pores, cracks, and spaces against the pull of gravity.

Question 22

Evapotranspiration

Answer 22

The combination of evaporation and transpiration that restores water to the atmosphere.

Question 23

Percolation

Answer 23

The process of water seeping downward through cracks and pores in soil or rock.

Question 24

Gravitational Water

Answer 24

Water that is not held by capillary action in soil but that percolates downward by the force of gravity.

Question 25

Groundwater

Answer 25

Water that has accumulated in the ground, completely filling and saturating all pores and spaces in rock or soil. Free to move more or less readily, it is the reservoir for springs and wells and is replenished by infiltration of surface water.

Question 26

Water Table

Answer 26

The upper surface of groundwater, rising and falling with the amount of groundwater.

Question 27

Aquifer

Answer 27

An underground layer of porous rock, sand, or other material that allows the movement of water between layers of nonporous rock or clay. Aquifers are frequently tapped for wells.

Question 28

Recharge Area

Answer 28

The area over which groundwater will infiltrate and resupply an aquifer.

Question 29

Seep

Answer 29

An area where groundwater seeps from the ground. Contrast with a spring, which is a single point from which groundwater exits.

Question 30

Spring

Answer 30

Natural exits of groundwater to the surface.

Question 31

Noncomsumptive water uses

Answer 31

The use of water for such purposes as washing and rinsing, wherein the water, albeit polluted, remains available for further uses. With suitable purification, such water may be recycled indefinitely.

Question 32

Consumptive water uses

Answer 32

The use of water for such things as irrigation, wherein the water does not remain available for potential purification and reuse.

Question 33

Estuary

Answer 33

A bay or river system open to the ocean at one end and receiving freshwater at the other. In the estuary, freshwater and saltwater mix, producing brackish water.

Question 34

Land Subsidence

Answer 34

The gradual sinking of land. The condition may result from the removal of groundwater or oil, which is frequently instrumental in supporting the overlying rock and soil.

Question 35

Sinkhole

Answer 35

A large hole in the ground resulting from the collapse of an underground cavern.

Question 36

Saltwater Intrusion

Answer 36

The phenomenon of seawater moving back into aquifers or estuaries. Such intrusion occurs when the normal outflow of freshwater is diverted or removed for use.

Question 37

Blue Revolution

Answer 37

A proposed radical change in managing water supplies intended to make more water available for human use.

Question 38

Desalination

Answer 38

A process that purifies seawater into high-quality drinking water via distillation or microfiltration.

Question 39

Xeriscaping

Answer 39

Landscaping with drought-resistant plants that need no watering.

Question 40

Gray Water

Answer 40

Wastewater, as from sinks and tubs, that does not contain human excrement. Such water can be reused without purification for some purposes.