weather and climate + water cycle

What drives the water cycle?

The Sun’s heat and gravity

What is evaporation?

Water turns into gas (water vapor) and rises into the air

What is transpiration?

Plants release water into the air

What is condensation?

Water vapor cools and turns into liquid (clouds form)

What is precipitation?

Water falling from clouds (rain, snow, etc.)

How do clouds form?

Water vapor rises, cools, and turns into droplets

What causes hurricanes/storms?

Warm ocean water

What happens to warm air?

It rises → low pressure

What happens to cold air?

It sinks → high pressure

What is wind?

Air moving from high pressure → low pressure

What is humidity?

Amount of water in the air

Can warm or cold air hold more moisture?

Warm air

What is weather?

Day-to-day conditions (temp, rain, wind, clouds)

What is climate?

Average weather over a long time (30+ years)

Weather vs climate?

Climate = what you expect
Weather = what you get

How much of Earth is water?

71

How much is salt water?

97

Where is most fresh water?

Glaciers, ice caps, and underground

What happens if rain falls in the ocean?

Cycle is complete

What happens if rain falls on land?

Goes to rivers, groundwater, or evaporates

What is groundwater?

Water stored underground

What is an aquifer?

Underground layer that holds water

What is porosity?

How much water soil can hold

What is permeability?

How easily water moves through soil