Water Cycle Flashcards
Learn the scientific terminology in the water cycle topic in year 7
What is Condensation
A change of state from gas to liquid
In the water cycle, water vapour in cooling air condenses to form clouds.
What is El Niño
A weather pattern that causes drought and bushfires in Australia
El Niño is caused by unusually warm surface water in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
What is Evaporation
A change of state from liquid to gas
In the water cycle, water evaporates from oceans and lakes into the air.
What is Freezing
A change of state from liquid to solid
Nearly 70% of the fresh water on Earth is frozen and locked up in glaciers and ice caps.
What is Groundwater
Water located underground
Most groundwater is trapped in the tiny spaces between grains of sand, soil and rock.
What is Infiltration
The soaking of water into the ground
In the water cycle, rain and melted snow infiltrate the ground to become groundwater.
What is La Niña
A weather pattern that causes above-average rainfall in Australia
La Niña is caused by unusually cold surface water in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
What is Melting
A change of state from solid to liquid
Melting is part of the water cycle. Icebergs melt as they drift into warmer waters.
What is a Natural resource
Something that we need or use, found in the natural world
Natural resources on Earth include sunlight, water, rocks and animals.
What is Precipitation
The falling of water to the ground
In the water cycle, water precipitates to the ground as either rain, snow or hail.
What is runoff
The flow of water over the ground, such as in rivers and streams
In the water cycle, runoff returns water from land to lakes and oceans.
What is transpiration
The evaporation of water from the leaves of plants
In the water cycle, water vapour transpires from small pores found in leaves.
What is the water cycle
The continuous movement of water on Earth
The water cycle is our planet’s way of recycling water. It involves many changes of state. However theretically no change in amount of matter.
What is water vapour
The gaseous form of water, an invisible component of air
Water vapour is a gas, and should not be confused with the liquid droplets that make up clouds and steam.
