The Hydroelectric Cycle Flashcards
When does evaporation occur?
Evaporation occurs when solar heated water turns into water vapor.
Approximately 80% of water evaporation occurs from the surface of…
The ocean
10 percent (of each) occurs from…
-Released by plants through transpiration
-Freshwater sources like lakes and rivers
What is the transpiration process?
Transpiration occurs when water moves upward from the ground through upward and into the stomata of plants in a process called capillary movement or action. Due to the water’s adhesion and cohesion properties and the surface tension that exists within the small tube-like veins of plants, the water moves upward against gravity. Then the water is released into the atmosphere.
The moisture filled air is lifted upward by what?
Rising air currents into the atmosphere where air is cooler.
As moist air cools, water vapor condenses on…
Dust, salt, or smoke particles that form clouds. As the tiny particles of water collide, they build due to their cohesive nature to form droplets.
How are clouds transported?
Clouds are transported by jet streams or land and sea breezes . Eventually the water becomes heavier than the cloud can hold, and falls in droplets (in precipitation).
When precipitation evaporates back into the atmosphere, runoff due to the force of gravity into the streams, lakes or rivers…
or the penetrate the surface as groundwater.
What percent of earth’s water is groundwater?
1.7%
1.7% of groundwater is what percent of freshwater?
30%
Some groundwater remains on the surface of the earth where it can surface in what?
Freshwater springs, or can run into streams and lakes.
Some groundwater infiltrates the ground where it replenishes what?
Aquafires.
Over time, groundwater returns where?
The ocean, where the hyrologic cycle begins again.
