Water Cycle and States of Matter

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the water cycle and states of matter.

Reservoir

The natural and man-made places where water is found.

Water system

A series of reservoirs that are connected through the movement of water.

Precipitation

Water that falls to the ground in the form of rain, snow, sleet, etc.

Surface water

Water located on the surface of the earth such as lakes and streams.

Runoff

Water that drains over the surface of the earth after falling as precipitation.

Infiltration

When water drains down into the ground/soil.

Groundwater

Water held underground in the soil or in pores and crevices in rock.

Groundwater movement

The movement of groundwater, which occurs very slowly.

Elevation

Height above or below a given location.

Gravity

The force that pulls things towards the earth.

Watershed

An area of higher elevation land that dictates where surface water and groundwater drain.

Energy driver

The source of energy that causes water to move (like gravity).

Evaporation

The process that causes a liquid to turn into a gas.

Transpiration

The process that causes a liquid in plants to be released as a gas.

Particle

The tiny invisible pieces that matter is made of.

State of Matter

Forms that matter can take on including solid, liquid, and gas.

Relative Spacing

How close together or far apart molecules/atoms are.

Solid

When molecules move slowly/vibrate and are tightly packed.

Liquid

When molecules move at a medium speed and slide past each other.

Gas

When molecules move fast, far apart and do not touch unless they collide.

Condensation

The process of water turning from a gas into a liquid.

Freezing

The process of water turning from a liquid into a solid.

Melting

The process of water turning from a solid into a liquid.

Water cycle

The continuous movement of water between the Earth's water reservoirs driven by energy from the sun and gravity.

Criteria

Goals that we use to compare multiple solutions in order to choose the best solution.

Constraints

Characteristics that must be met for a solution to be acceptable.