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What is the role of the water cycle in nutrient transport?
The water cycle acts as a delivery service, moving nutrients and other substances around the planet.
Explain the relationship between evapotranspiration and precipitation.
Evapotranspiration returns water to the atmosphere, which then falls back to Earth as precipitation.
Describe the connection between surface runoff and bodies of water.
Surface runoff flows into rivers, lakes, and oceans, replenishing these water bodies.
Explain how percolation contributes to groundwater recharge.
Percolation allows water to seep into the ground, replenishing groundwater aquifers.
What is the importance of plant uptake in the water cycle?
Plants absorb water for photosynthesis, playing a role in both the water cycle and the carbon cycle.
How does deforestation affect the water cycle?
Deforestation reduces transpiration, leading to increased runoff, flooding, and soil erosion.
How does climate change impact the water cycle?
Climate change alters precipitation patterns, increases evaporation rates, and can lead to water scarcity and contamination.
Explain how urbanization affects surface runoff.
Urbanization increases impervious surfaces, leading to increased surface runoff and decreased groundwater recharge.
Describe the impacts of water diversion on ecosystems.
Water diversion can harm wildlife, disrupt natural water cycles, and alter habitats.
What is the role of the water cycle in maintaining Earth's temperature?
Evaporation absorbs heat, and condensation releases heat, helping to regulate Earth's temperature.
Define hydrologic cycle.
The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.
Define evapotranspiration.
The process by which water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere by evaporation from the soil and other surfaces and by transpiration from plants.
Define evaporation.
The process by which liquid water changes into water vapor.
Define transpiration.
The process by which plants release water vapor into the atmosphere through their leaves.
Define precipitation.
Any form of water that falls from the atmosphere and reaches the ground, including rain, snow, sleet, and hail.
Define surface runoff.
Water that flows over the land's surface and does not infiltrate into the ground.
Define percolation.
The process by which water filters through soil and rock into the groundwater.
Define plant uptake.
The process by which plants absorb water through their roots.
Define groundwater.
Water that is present beneath Earth's surface in soil pore spaces and in the fractures of rock formations.
Define water diversion.
The process of transferring water from one area to another, often through canals, pipelines, or other engineered structures.
What are the main steps of the water cycle?
Evaporation/Transpiration, Condensation, Precipitation, Runoff/Percolation/Plant Uptake.
Describe the process of evapotranspiration.
Liquid water is converted to water vapor through evaporation and transpiration, then rises into the atmosphere.
Outline the steps of precipitation formation.
Water vapor condenses in the atmosphere, forming clouds, and then falls back to Earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
Explain the process of surface runoff.
Water flows over the land's surface, collecting in streams and rivers, and eventually returning to larger bodies of water.
Describe the process of percolation.
Water seeps into the ground, filtering through soil and rock layers, and replenishing groundwater aquifers.
Explain the process of plant uptake of water.
Plants absorb water through their roots, transport it to their leaves, and use it for photosynthesis and transpiration.
Describe the process of condensation.
Water vapor in the air cools and changes back into liquid form, forming clouds.
What happens to precipitation after it reaches the ground?
It either flows as runoff, percolates into the ground, or is taken up by plants.
Describe the movement of water from the ocean to the land and back.
Evaporation from the ocean, transport of water vapor over land, precipitation, runoff, and return flow to the ocean.
What is the role of gravity in the water cycle?
Gravity drives the flow of water downhill, influencing runoff and percolation.