Water Cycle
The primary source of heat and energy in the water cycle.
What is the Sun?
The primary source of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
What is fossil fuels?
The process by which bacteria convert nitrogen gas (N2) in the air into a form that plants can use.
What is nitrogen fixation?
The term for the underground storage of water?
What is groundwater?
The name for water in gas form in the atmosphere.
What is water vapor?
The process in which water vapor in the air cools into tiny water droplets, forming clouds?
What is condensation?
The process by which plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen in order to make food.
What is photosynthesis?
The name for the conversion of nitrogen compounds into ammonia (NH3), which is done by bacteria
What is ammonification?
The process of breaking down dead plants and animals into simpler substances
What is decomposition?
The different forms of water (rain, sleet, hail, snow,) that can fall back to the Earth from clouds.
What is precipitation?
The process in which water droplets in clouds join together and become too heavy, causing them to fall to Earth's surface.
What is precipitation?
The term for the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels.
Name the process by which bacteria convert nitrogen in dead plants and animals back into nitrogen gas, releasing it into the atmosphere.
What is denitrification?
The process of water seeping into the ground and becoming part of the groundwater.
What is infiltration?
The movement of water over the land surface, usually occurring after precipitation and flowing into rivers, lakes, or oceans.
What is runoff?
Name the process by which plants release water vapor into the air through small openings in their leaves.
What is transpiration?
The process by which dead plants and animals decay, releasing carbon back into the atmosphere.
What is decomposition?
A compound made up of nitrogen and oxygen (NO2) or (NO3). It is an important nutrient for plants and is often found in fertilizers.
What is a nitrate or nitrite?
A compound made up of nitrogen and hydrogen (NH3). It is produced by the decomposition of plants and animals.
What is ammonia?
Fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, that are formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. These fuels release carbon dioxide when burned, contributing to the greenhouse effect.
What are fossil fuels?
The process in which water on Earth's surface changes into water vapor and rises into the atmosphere?
What is evaporation?
The process in which animals release energy from glucose sugar by combining it with oxygen, also releasing carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere
What is respiration?
The process by which bacteria convert ammonia (NH3) into nitrites (NO2) and nitrates (NO3), which can be used by plants.
What is nitrification?
The natural process that traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere, caused by certain gases (such as carbon dioxide) that allow sunlight to pass through but prevent the heat from escaping.
What is the Greenhouse Effect?
The cutting down, burning, and removal of trees. This process reduces the Earth's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide and contributes to climate change.
What is deforestation?