Hydrosphere Terminology

Question 1

Tributary

Answer 1

a stream or smaller river that flows into a larger one.

Question 2

Precipitation

Answer 2

the main input of water (rain and snow).

Question 3

Evaporation

Answer 3

a liquid turns into a gas

Question 4

Transpiration

Answer 4

water vapour is lost to the atmosphere from vegetation.

Question 5

Condensation

Answer 5

A gas turns into a liquid

Question 6

Interception

Answer 6

the movement of water (rainwater) is slowed down by vegetation.

Question 7

Overland flow/ Run off

Answer 7

water moves over/ runs off the surface of the land.

Question 8

Infiltration

Answer 8

water flows through the soil

Question 9

Percolation

Answer 9

water moves into the rocks below the soil

Question 10

Water table

Answer 10

where water is stored in the rocks below

Question 11

Hydraulic Action

Answer 11

the sheer force of the water enters cracks in the rocks,
compresses the air and forces pieces of rock to become dislodged

Question 12

Abrasion

Answer 12

the force of the water throws bedload (rocks in the river) against the
banks, causing erosion

Question 13

Attrition

Answer 13

the river’s load collides and breaks into smaller fragments. The edges of
these rocks become smaller and more rounded

Question 14

Solution

Answer 14

Soluble rocks react with acid in the water