The Water Cycle
What is the Definition of the Water Cycle
The Continuous movement of water on Earth
How much of the water on Earth is freshwater?
3%
What word describes the amount of salt found in ocean water?
Salinity
Which Earth system contains all of Earth's water?
Hydrosphere
What is Evaporation
The process of changing liquid water into water vapor
About how much of Earth's water is frozen in glaciers and ice caps?
69%
What is brackish water?
Water that is saltier than freshwater, but not as salty as ocean water.
What are the 3 states in which water can exist?
Solid, liquid, and gas
What is Condensation
Changing from water vapor to liquid water
What is an Aquifer?
Underground water supply or groundwater
How much of the water on Earth is salt water?
97%
A student says, "Water disappears from Earth when it evaporates." Which statement BEST corrects the student's thinking?
A. Evaporated water is destroyed by sunlight.
B. Evaporated water becomes water vapor and remains part of the hydrosphere.
C. Evaporated water leaves Earth's atmosphere.
D. Evaporated water immediately becomes groundwater.
B. Evaporated water becomes water vapor and remains part of the hydrosphere.
What is Precipitation?
Water falling from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail
Why is freshwater so limited?
Most freshwater is frozen in glaciers and ice caps
Why can't living things just drink salt water since there's more of it?
Because of the salinity- how much salt is in the water.
What percentage of water on Earth is NOT safe to drink?
97%- salt water
What provides the energy that drives evaporation in the water cycle?
The sun
A student says most of Earth's usable fresh water is found in rivers and lakes. Explain why the student is incorrect.
Only about 1% of Earth's fresh water is surface water; much more is frozen or underground.
Even though different parts have different names, what is true about all of Earth's oceans?
They are all connected and form one huge body of salt water.
Why does Earth look like a "blue marble"?
Because of all the water on Earth- about 3/4 of Earth's surface is covered with water.