Geography - Water Cycle

• What is the global hydrological cycle?

  The continuous movement of water on Earth
• What is evaporation in the hydrological cycle?

  Liquid water turns into water vapor
• What is transpiration in the hydrological cycle?


  Water released from plants as vapor
• What happens during condensation in the hydrological cycle?

  Water vapor cools and forms clouds
• What is precipitation in the hydrological cycle?

  Clouds release rain or snow
• What is runoff in the hydrological cycle?


  Water flows over land to rivers and oceans
• What is infiltration in the hydrological cycle?

  Water penetrates the ground to become groundwater
• What are the six key processes of the hydrological cycle?

  1. Evaporation
  2. Transpiration
  3. Condensation
  4. Precipitation
  5. Runoff
  6. Infiltration
• How does the sun contribute to the water cycle?

  It provides energy for evaporation and transpiration
• What happens to evaporation and transpiration without the sun's energy?

  Both processes would stop occurring
• What is the interaction between the atmosphere and biosphere in the water cycle?

  Photosynthesis and respiration cycle water vapor
• How does groundwater recharge occur in the hydrological cycle?

  Water infiltrates the ground and replenishes groundwater
• What is the significance of groundwater storage?

  It connects surface infiltration with deeper storage
• What percentage of Earth's water is stored in oceans?

  96.5%
• What percentage of Earth's freshwater is stored in ice caps and glaciers?

  69%
• How does urbanization affect the hydrological cycle?

  It increases runoff and reduces infiltration
• What is the impact of pollution on the hydrological cycle?

  It contaminates water at multiple points
• What happens to water movement in a city with extensive concrete infrastructure?

  It increases flooding due to reduced infiltration
• What is the role of the lithosphere in the hydrological cycle?

  It interacts with groundwater and surface water
• What is the primary source of energy for the water cycle?

  The sun
• How does groundwater movement change with depth?


  It slows dramatically as depth increases
• What is the proportion of surface water in Earth's freshwater?

  1. 2%
• What is the effect of deforestation on the hydrological cycle?


  It disrupts natural water flow and quality
• How do human activities alter the natural balance of the hydrological cycle?

  They disrupt healthy water flow and quality
• What is precipitation?


  Water falling from the atmosphere to Earth
• What forms can precipitation take?

  Rain, snow, hail, dew, and frost
• What role does precipitation play in the water cycle?

  Transfers water from the atmosphere to land and oceans
• What drives the process of evaporation?

  High temperature providing energy to water molecules
• What is transpiration?


  Water vapor loss from plants to the atmosphere
• What factors influence the rate of transpiration?

  Temperature, humidity, and wind
• What is the role of precipitation in the water cycle?

  Completes the cycle by returning water to Earth
• How does evaporation work in relation to precipitation?


  Evaporation transfers water from Earth to the atmosphere
• How does transpiration occur in plants?

  Water moves from soil through the plant and escapes
• What is the definition of water balance?

  An accounting of water inputs and outputs
• Why is the water balance important?

  It helps understand water flow and storage
• What are the main inputs of the water balance?

  • Precipitation
  • River inflow
  • Melting snow/ice
  • Groundwater inflow
• What is an example of precipitation in the water balance?

  Rainfall on a field
• What does river inflow refer to in the water balance?


  Water entering an area via rivers