Water cycle

Question 1

Water cycle

Answer 1

The cycling of water through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere. Driven by energy.

Question 2

Transpiration

Answer 2

• Water is absorbed by plants from the soil through their roots.
• The water travels up the stem of the plant to the leaves.
• The water is released into the atmosphere through stomata. *

Question 3

Condensation

Answer 3

• Cooling of water vapour (gas) in atmosphere.
• Water vapour condenses into water droplets (liquid) forming clouds.

Question 4

Precipitation

Answer 4

• Water droplets formed by condensation fall to Earth.
• Can fall as rain, snow or hail.

Question 5

Surface run-off

Answer 5

• Refers to the movement of water over the land surface.
• Run-off ends in streams, rivers, lakes and oceans.
• Can transport sediment, nutrients, and pollutants to other areas.

Question 6

Infiltration

Answer 6

Precipitation that falls onto land can soak into the soil, refilling groundwater sources.

Question 7

Ground water flow

Answer 7

Water that infiltrates into the soil becomes ground water, which slowly moves through underground aquifers.

Question 8

Evaporation

Answer 8

• The sun heats up bodies of water such as oceans, lakes and rivers.
• Causes water to change from a liquid to a gas (water vapour) and rise into the atmosphere.

Question 9

Freezing

Answer 9

• Freezing converts water from the liquid state to the solid state.
• Acts as water storage.
• Water is removed from the cycle until melted.

Question 10

Melting

Answer 10

• Converts ice and snow back into liquid water.
• After melting, snow and ice refills rivers, lakes and oceans.

Question 11

Sublimation

Answer 11

Transforms a solid straight into a gas. (Skips the liquid phase)

Ice → water vapour

Question 12

Deposition

Answer 12

• Transforms water vapour to ice. (gas to solid)
• Skips the liquid phase.
• Forms snow, ice and glaciers.

Question 13

Percolation

Answer 13

The movement of water through soil and rock.