Cycles Flashcards
Water Cycle
The water cycle shows the continuous movement of water within the Earth and atmosphere. It is a complex system that includes many different processes. Liquid water evaporates into water vapor, condenses to form clouds, and precipitates back to earth in the form of rain and snow.
Evaporation
the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapor.
Transpiration
the evaporation of water through minute pores, or stomata, in the leaves of plants.
Infiltration
The process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil.
Run-off
water “running off”, which means flowing along the land surface, from a high to low point.
Percipitation
water released from clouds in the form of rain, freezing rain, sleet, snow, or hail.
Condensation
the process by which water vapor (gas) in the air is changed into liquid water. Condensation is crucial to the water cycle because it is responsible for the formation of clouds.
Groundwater
Water that infiltrates or seeps into the ground. Sometimes this water can flow out of the water, like a spring. Sometimes, this water can seep from the ground into a lake, pond, or ocean.
Aquifer
Water deep underground that can be stored for 1,000 of years. It can be found in water bearing, permeable rock.
Carbon reservoir
a part of Earth that stores carbon.
Examples of carbon reservoirs include the atmosphere, the ocean, soils, sediments, and the biosphere.
Carbon sink
a carbon reservoir that absorbs carbon from the atmosphere and stores it for a long period of time.
Photosynthesis
a process in which plants use energy from light to change carbon dioxide and water into glucose (sugar) and oxygen.
Carbon
The movement of carbon from reservoir to reservoir