Water Cycle Definitions

Question 1

EVAPORATION

Answer 1

The heating of bodies of water (e.g. oceans, rivers, lakes) causes water to change into water vapour

Question 2

CONDENSATION

Answer 2

When cooled high in the atmosphere, water vapour changes into liquid form and becomes water droplets forming clouds

Question 3

PRECIPITATION

Answer 3

When the atmosphere is unable to hold the condensed water (becomes saturated) water droplets (in the form of rain, hail, sleet or snow) fall back down to earth from the clouds

Question 4

RUN-OFF

Answer 4

When water runs along the ground surface it may collect in bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, streams or the ocean

Question 5

INFILTRATION

Answer 5

Some water soaks into the ground and becomes ‘ground water’

Question 6

TRANSPIRATION

Answer 6

Water is drawn up from the ground through the root systems of trees and plants. The water moves through the tree or plants and evaporated through the leaves