The Hydrological Cycle Flashcards
The hydrological cycle is a closed system, TMT
there is a definite amount of water in the system + it will not change.
1) Water is evaporated from water surfaces (rivers, lakes + oceans), TIDT
heat from the sun, warming water at the surface.
2) The warm, moist air rises and as it cools, condensation takes place to form clouds TIB
as the water vapour cools it becomes liquid droplets.
3) Winds may transport the clouds over land surfaces by advection, TIB
as land warms air over, it rises, pulling air from over the sea.
4) Water falls to earth as precipitation (rain, snow, hail, sleet or dew) TIB
as clouds are forced to rise, the droplets join together and become heavier.
5) The rain water flows, either over the ground (surface run off ) or in to rivers + back into the ocean TIDT
gravity pulling the water downhill.
6) Evapotranspiration returns water to the atmosphere, TIB
as plants breath, they draw up water from their roots + release it into the atmosphere.
7) Water travelling downwards infiltrates into the soil TMT
it returns to the sea as throughflow which has a slow rate of transfer. TMT there is a short circulation of flow.
8 )It can also percolate through the rocks TRI
it being stored as ground water or returning to the sea as ground water flow. TMT it has a very slow flow rate. TAMT it is controlled by rock type e.g permeable rocks store + transfer more water than impermeable rocks.
