The Water Cycle Water is recycled through the water cycle. A continuous process by which water moves through the living and nonliving parts of the environment. cycle has no real beginning or end Water Evaporates Evaporation is the process by which molecules at the surface of a liquid absorb enough energy to change to the gaseous state.  

The Water Cycle The water cycle is the continuous process by which water moves through the environment. The sun is the source of energy that drives the water cycle

PLANTS Condensation Condensation Precipitation Transpiration Evaporation Surface Runoff PLANTS Accumulation Subsurface Runoff

1) Condensation: the process in which water vapor (a gas) in the air turns into liquid water. Condensing water forms clouds in the sky. Water drops that form on the outside of a glass of icy water are condensed water. 2) Accumulation: the process in which water pools in large bodies (like oceans, seas and lakes). 3) Transpiration: the process in which some water within plants evaporates into the atmosphere. Water is first absorbed bt the plant's roots, then later exits by evaporating through the pores in the plant. 4) Surface Runoff: rain, snow melt, or other water that flows in surface streams, rivers, or canals. 5) Evaporation: the process in which liquid water becomes water vapor (a gas). Water vaporizes from the surfaces of oceans and lakes, from the surface of the land, and from melts in snow fields. 6) Subsurface Runoff: rain, snow melt, or other water that flows in underground streams, drains or sewers. 7) Precipitation: the process in which water (in the form of rain, snow, sleet or hail) falls from clouds in the sky.

Radiant Energy Underground River

Porous AQUIFER Non-Porous

Ground Water As Part of the Hydrologic Cycle

Groundwater Underground Layers water trickles down between particles of soil and through cracks and spaces in layers of rock. Pores - different-sized spaces between rocks Permeable - materials that allow water to easily pass through Sand Gravel Impermeable - material that does not allow water to easily pass through Clay Granite Groundwater Rain fall and snow melt and run off in streams or soak into the ground  The water that is soaking into the ground  is know as goundwater.

Groundwater Saturated zone - area of permeable rock or soil that is totally filled, or saturated, with water. Water table - top of the saturated zone the depth of the water table tells you how deep you must dig to reach groundwater Unsaturated zone - soil above the water table

Any underground layer of rock or sediment that holds water is called an aquifer. Ranges in size Water is actually in motion Speed depends upon Steep of aquifer How permeable the rocks are Aquifers

Bringing Groundwater to the Surface Groundwater is pumped up to the surface through wells like the one near the center of the diagram. At the right, pressure causes water to spurt from an artesian well. Where an aquifer meets the ground surface, at the left, a spring may form. Springs - where the water table meets the ground surface Wells - obtains groundwater from an aquifer by drilling below the water table. Recharge - water that enters the aquifer from the surface Artesian well - water rises because of pressure within the aquifer