The Water Cycle Flashcards
How much water does the hydrosphere contain?
1.4 sextillion litres.
How much freshwater is contained by the hydrosphere?
3%
Of earths fresh water, how much is frozen in the cryosphere?
69%
Of Earths fresh water, how much is contained in groundwater?
30%
Of Earths fresh water, how much is contained as liquid freshwater?
0.3%
Of earths fresh water, how much is contained as water vapour in the atmosphere?
0.04%
What is the global hydrological cycle?
The closed system that continuously cycles water.
Define magnitude of water.
The amount of water flowing between each store.
Define evaporation and link it to the water cycle and magnitude.
When liquid changes to gas increasing the amount of water stored in the atmosphere.
The magnitude of evaporation varies by location and season.
Define condensation and link it to the water cycle and magnitude.
When water vapour becomes liquid decreasing the amount of water held by the atmosphere.
The magnitude of condensation depends on the amount held in the atmosphere and the temperature.
How is cloud formation an essential part of the water cycle?
It’s the main flow of water from the atmosphere to the ground.
How do clouds form?
When warm air cools down causing water vapour to condense into water droplets.
What is convection?
When the sun heats up the ground causing moisture to evaporate and rise up. As it gets higher it cools and lowers back down leading to convection precipitation.
How does the cryospheric process link to the water cycle?
During periods of global cold, inputs into the cryospheric are greater than outputs (as its frozen).
Variations occur over different timescales.
