The Water Cycle

Question 1

What is the water cycle?

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

What are the 5 types of water found?

Answer 2

Atmospheric, Cryospheric, Hydrosphere, Oceanic and Terrestrial

Question 3

What is atmospheric water?

Answer 3

Water found in the atmosphere; mainly water vapour with liquid water and ice crystals

Question 4

What is Cryospheric water?

Answer 4

Water locked up on the Earth’s surface as ice.

Question 5

What is Oceanic water?

Answer 5

Water contained in the Earth’s oceans and seas, but not including inland seas.

Question 6

What is Terrestrial water?

Answer 6

Consists of groundwater, soil moisture, lakes, wetlands and rivers

Question 7

When does evaporation occur?

Answer 7

-Evaporation occurs when liquid water changes state into a gas, becoming water vapour- it gains energy, normally from solar radiation.

-Evaporation increases the amount of water stored in the atmosphere.

• The magnitude of evaporation flow varies by location and season. Evaporation will be a lot higher in warm temperatures and if there is lots of solar radiation.
• Little solar radiation and cold temperatures, resulting in evaporation being low cool air(saturated) will be unable to absorb any more liquids.

Question 8

When does condensation occur?

Answer 8

• Condensation occurs when water vapour changes state to become a liquid- it loses energy to the surroundings.
• When water vapour condenses, it can form dew on leaves and other surfaces- this decreases the amount of water stored in the atmosphere.
• The magnitude of the condensation flow depends on the amount of water vapour in the atmosphere and the temperature.

Question 9

How are clouds formed?

Answer 9

Clouds form when warm air cools down, causing the water vapour in it to condense into water droplets, which gather as clouds. When the droplets get big enough, they fall as precipitation(rain).

Water droplets caused by condensation are too small to create clouds on their own, therefore meaning other substances e.g. dust and soot, act as cloud condensation nuclei (tiny particles in the air on which water vapor condenses).