Water Cycle Scope Review

Water Vapor

Gas state of water, invisible

Ice

Solid state of water

Melting

Water changing state from a solid to a liquid

Evaporation

Water changing state from a liquid to a gas

Condensation

Water changing states from a gas to a liquid

Freezing

Water changing states from a liquid to a solid

Adding energy

Causes water molecules to become less dense, move faster

Subtracting/Removing Energy

Causes water molecules to become more dense, move slower

Water Cycle

The constant movement of water through the land, air, oceans, and living things.

Energy to change from a solid to a liquid

Add energy

Energy to change from a liquid to a gas

Add energy

Energy to change from a gas to a liquid

Subtract/remove energy

Energy to change from a liquid to a solid

Subtract/remove energy

Crystallization

The formation of highly ordered solid structures from particles in a solution.

Precipitation

Rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls from clouds in the sky due to gravity

Radiant Energy

Energy from the sun that reaches earth as visible light, and ultraviolet and infrared (heat) radiation.

Absorption

When water moves into the roots of a plant.

Transpiration

Evaporation of water from the leaves of a plant

Groundwater

Water that fills the cracks and spaces in underground soil and rock layers

Surface Water

Water from precipitation that drains into a gully that flows into a stream, which in turn flows into a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, or the ocean.

Percolation

When water soaks into the ground and moves downward through spaces between soil and rocks.

Runoff

Rainfall and surface water that drains or flows from the land into streams, rivers, lakes, or the ocean.

Sun

Produces radiant energy that is the driving force behind the energy changes of the water cycle.

Gravity

Force of attraction that pulls objects toward one another, and on Earth, causes objects to be pulled to the center of the planet (i.e. fall)