5.1A Global hydrological cycle system

• Global hydrological cycle is a closed system which only has inputs and outputs contained within the system and uses the sun as energy
• water is constantly recycled through the system VIA:

  • Evaporation - the sun evaporates surface water into vapour
  • Condensation - water vapour condenses and precipitates
  • Flows - water runs off the surface into streams and reservoirs or beneath the surface as ground flow
• hydrological cycle involves energy exchange, leading to local temperature fluctuations

  • As water evaporates, it uses energy from its surrounding to perform this process
  • This effectively cools the environment
  • The reverse happens when water condenses (heat is released)
  • This heat exchange influences the local climate 
• The only input of the hydrological cycle is precipitation