Earth science topic 8 (Climate)

**Porosity**

The percentage of open space in a material compared to its total volume

The Greater the porosity of the loose materials at Earth’s Surface, the greater the…

amount of infiltration that can occur

Does size affect porosity?

No!!

**Permeability**

The ability of a material to allow fluids such as water to pass through it

Does size affect permability?

Yes. (the larger the size, the higher the permeability)

**Runoff**

**precipitation that can flow over Earth’s surface**

**Stream Discharge**

the volume of water flowing past a certain spot in a stream in a specific amount of time, and is expressed in units such as cubic meters/ second of liters/ minute

**Capillarity**

**the attractive forces between water molecules that stop water from moving downward** 

The steeper the slope (gradient) of Earth’s solid surface, the less

infiltration or seepage

**water table**

Interface between the Zone of Aeration and the Zone of Saturation

The more closely packed the particles…

the lower the porosity

The more unsorted the particles…

the lower the porosity

The slower it flows through an object

the lower the permeability

Climate

overall view of a region's weather conditions over a long period of time - tens to thousands of years

To retain more water, you need…

lower porosity

Rounded particles have

more porosity

Loosely packed particles have

A higher porosity

More vegetation

Less runoff

More urabznization

More Runoff

What material has the lowest permeability?

Clay

What material has the highest permeability?

Gravel