1.7 Water Cycle

Hydrologic Cycle

the cycle of processes by which water circulates between the earth's oceans, atmosphere, and land, involving precipitation as rain and snow, drainage in streams and rivers, and return to the atmosphere by evaporation and transpiration.

Evaporation

the process by which an element or compound transitions from its liquid state to its gaseous state below the temperature at which it boils.

Condensation

The change of state from a gas to a liquid

Precipitation

all liquid and solid water particles that fall from clouds and reach the ground.

Runoff

quantity of water discharged in surface streams.

Watershed

area from which all precipitation flows to a single stream or set of streams.

Groundwater

water that occurs below the surface of Earth, where it occupies all or part of the void spaces in soils or geologic strata.

Transpiration

the loss of water vapor from land plants.

Infiltration

Downward movement of water through soil.

Percolation

the process by which water moves downward in the soil, toward the water table.

Water Vapor

the gaseous phase of water.