Running Water and Groundwater

Question 1

The constant circulation of Earth’s water supply among the oceans, the atmosphere, the solid Earth, and the biosphere.

Answer 1

Water Cycle

Question 2

Water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth’s surface. (Rain, Snow, Sleet, Hail)

Answer 2

Precipitation

Question 3

The process that changes liquid water to gaseous water (water vapor). Water moves from the Earth’s surface to the atmosphere due to heat energy

Answer 3

Evaporation

Question 4

The process by which water vapor in the air is changed into liquid water

Answer 4

Condensation

Question 5

Precipitation that does not soak into the soil but instead moves on the Earth’s surface toward streams.

Answer 5

Runoff

Question 6

Precipitation that is the movement of surface water and soaks into rock or soil through cracks and pore spaces.

Answer 6

Infiltration

Question 7

The release of water into the atmosphere from plants through the ground.

Answer 7

Transpiration

Question 8

The ability of a stream to erode and transport materials and depend largely on its velocity.

Answer 8

Streamflow

Question 9

Factor affecting velocity of streamflow:
is the slope or steepness of a stream channel.

Answer 9

Gradient

Question 10

Factor affecting velocity of streamflow:
the course the water in a stream
follows. Shape, size and roughness of a stream.

Answer 10

Stream Channel

Question 11

Factor affecting velocity of streamflow:
of a stream is the volume of water flowing past a certain point in a given unit of time.

Answer 11

Discharge

Question 12

a stream that empties into another stream

Answer 12

Tributary

Question 13

Factors that increase downstream

Answer 13

Velocity, Discharge, Channel Size

Question 14

Factors that decrease downstream

Answer 14

Gradient, Slope, Channel Roughness

Question 15

a stream in a broad, flat-bottomed valley that is near its base level often develops a course with many bends.

Answer 15

Meanders

Question 16

lowest point to which a stream can
erode.

Answer 16

Base Level

Question 17

dissolved sediment that enters a stream from groundwater and dissolving rock.

Answer 17

Dissolved Load

Question 18

Largest part of load that is a visible cloud of sediment in the water. Floats in the water

Answer 18

Suspended Load

Question 19

Solid material too large to carry in
suspension. Sediment slides or rolls on stream floor.

Answer 19

Bedload

Question 20

Stream is the maximum load it can carry.

Answer 20

Capacity

Question 21

Occurs as streamflow drops below the critical settling velocity of a certain particle size. (Streamflow slows down)

Answer 21

Deposition of Sediment

Question 22

An accumulation of sediment formed where a stream enters a lake or ocean.

Answer 22

Delta

Question 23

Parallels a stream and helps to contain its waters, except during flood stage.

Answer 23

Natural Levee

Question 24

Shows that the stream’s primary work has been downcutting (Eroded) toward base level with features that include rapids and waterfalls. (V-shape)

Answer 24

Narrow Valley

Question 25

streams are near base level, downward erosion is less dominant and stream energy is directed from side to side

Answer 25

Wide Valley

Question 26

A substance that can be dissolved in a solution by solvent

Answer 26

Solute

Question 27

A substance in which a solute is dissolved.

Answer 27

Solvent

Question 28

flat, low-lying portion of a stream valley subject to periodic flooding.

Answer 28

Floodplain

Question 29

Land area that contributes water to a stream

Answer 29

Drainage Basin

Question 30

Area where water fills all of the open spaces in sediment and rock

Answer 30

Zone of Saturation

Question 31

The water that is within the zone of saturation

Answer 31

Groundwater

Question 32

the upper level of the saturation zone of groundwater.

Answer 32

Water Table

Question 33

The percentage of pore spaces and how much groundwater can be stored.

Answer 33

Porosity

Question 34

Permeable rock layers or sediments that
transmit groundwater freely.

Answer 34

Aquifers

Question 35

The ability to transmit water through connected pore spaces.

Answer 35

Permeability

Question 36

Forms whenever the water table intersects the ground surface.

Answer 36

Spring

Question 37

Water that is 6–9ºC warmer than the
air temperature. The is heated by cooling of igneous rock.

Answer 37

Hot Spring

Question 38

Hot springs or fountain of
water that turns to steam and erupts with great force.

Answer 38

Geysers

Question 39

Naturally formed underground chamber. Erosion forms most caverns at or below the water table in the zone of saturation.

Answer 39

Caverns