THE HYDROLOGIC CYCLE

Processes of the Hydrologic Cycle Evaporation: Process in which liquid water changes into water vapor. During evaporation energy is absorbed by water molecules.

Condensation: Process in which water vapor changes into liquid water. During condensation energy is released by water molecules.

Precipitation: Process in which water returns or falls to earth’s surface. Examples are rain, snow, sleet and hail.

Runoff: water (precipitation) collects on Earth’s surface and runs downhill to streams, rivers, lakes and oceans.

Related Terms Transpiration: water released by plants and evaporates.

Related Terms Groundwater: water collects and flows beneath the ground. Aquifer: underground layer of permeable rock where water exist. Contamination: pollution and/or chemicals in water

Water Cycle Questions 1. Why are the water droplets on the baggies clear? 2. Does the Earth have more or less water on it than 1000 years ago? 3. Clouds are examples of what? 4. Where is water released in the water cycle?

Water falls to the Earth as rain, snow, sleet or hail Water falls to the Earth as rain, snow, sleet or hail. This is referred to as: Groundwater Runoff Precipitation Condensation Perspiration I don’t know

The sun’s energy is absorbed by water molecules causing a change of state. This process is called Evaporation Condensation Transpiration Precipitation I don’t know

As water vapor cools it collects in tiny droplets in our atmosphere As water vapor cools it collects in tiny droplets in our atmosphere. This is called Evaporation Precipitation Condensation Runoff I don’t know