ELSS

• Why is water essential for life?

  It has unique properties necessary for organisms
• What unique property of water allows it to act as a solvent?

  Its polarity allows it to dissolve substances
• What happens to water when it freezes?

  It expands and becomes less dense
• What is the specific heat of water?

  It has a high specific heat
• How does water's adhesion and cohesion benefit living organisms?

  It helps water move through plants and tissues
• What percentage of living organisms is made up of water?

  60%-80%
• Why is water important for photosynthesis?

  It is a reactant in the photosynthesis process
• What role does water play in respiration?

  It is necessary for cellular respiration processes
• How does water contribute to food production?

  It is used in irrigation for crops
• What is the hydrological system?

  It describes the movement of water on Earth
• Where does carbon occur on Earth?

  In all spheres: biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere
• Why is carbon considered an economic resource?

  It is essential for various industries and processes
• How do water and carbon support life on Earth?

  They are essential for biological processes
• What are the main components of the water cycle?


  • Atmosphere
  • Precipitation
  • Land
  • Runoff
  • Ocean
  • Evaporation
  • Percolation
  • Groundwater
• How long does water stay in the atmosphere?

  10 days
• How much water is stored in the land?

  34,000 gigatonnes
• How long does water stay in the ocean?

  3,000 years
• What does the water balance equation P= E+Q±S represent?

  P is precipitation, E is evaporation, Q is for runoff, S is storage
• What indicates a positive water balance?

  Precipitation exceeds evaporation
• What indicates a negative water balance?

  Evaporation exceeds precipitation
• What are the main processes of the carbon cycle?

  • Photosynthesis
  • Respiration
  • Decomposition
  • Combustion
  • Human activity
• What is the role of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle?

  It converts CO2 into biomass
• What happens during respiration in the carbon cycle?

  Living organisms absorb O2 and release CO2
• How does combustion affect the carbon cycle?

  It releases CO2 and other gases into the atmosphere
• What is the biological pump in the carbon cycle?

  It involves carbon exchanges through marine organisms
• What is the physical pump in the carbon cycle?

  It mixes surface and deep ocean waters
• What are the processes of the water cycle?

  • Precipitation
  • Evaporation
  • Interception
  • Infiltration
  • Percolation
  • Sublimation
  • Transpiration
• What is interception in the water cycle?

  Precipitation intercepted by vegetation
• What is infiltration in the water cycle?

  Water movement into soil by gravity
• What is sublimation in the water cycle?

  Change of state from ice to vapor
• What is condensation in the water cycle?

  Phase change of vapor to liquid
• What are the types of clouds formed through condensation?

  Cumuliform, stratiform, and cirrus clouds
• What is relative humidity?

  Percentage of water an air parcel can hold
• What are the human impacts on the water cycle?

  • Food security and agriculture
  • Irrigation practices
  • Deforestation effects
  • Climate change influences
• How does deforestation affect the water cycle?

  It lowers evapotranspiration and increases runoff
• How does climate change impact the water cycle?

  It leads to unpredictable rainfall patterns
• What is the greenhouse effect?

  It traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere
• What are the main greenhouse gases?

  Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, fluorinated gases
• What are the consequences of climate change?

  Temperature rise, unpredictable weather, sea level rise
• What could be a positive action against climate change?

  Afforestation and good change management