The Water Cycle
What are the four main stages of the water cycle?
Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection.
What is surface water?
Water found on Earth’s surface, like lakes, rivers, and streams.
How can plants be affected by pollution?
They can absorb pollution from the ground or streams.
Which phase forms clouds?
Condensation.
How much percent of water is drinkable.
1%
What happens to water when it changes from liquid to gas?
Evaporation.
What is groundwater?
Water that collects under the surface of the Earth.
Where can pollution enter the water cycle?
It can enter evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection.
Which phase turns water vapor into rain, snow, or hail?
Precipitation.
Why is the water cycle important for life on Earth?
It provides fresh water for plants, animals, and people.
What is it called when water vapor cools and changes back into liquid?
Condensation.
Can groundwater move into surface water?
Yes, groundwater can flow into surface water.
What happens when a company releases pollution into the air and water?
It spreads into clouds, precipitation, surface water, and groundwater.
Which phase moves water from the ground into the sky?
Evaporation.
What energy source powers the water cycle? (how does the water get up?)
The Sun.
What causes precipitation to fall from clouds?
Water drops become too heavy to stay in the cloud.
What type of soil is surface water most likely found in?
Tightly packed soil.
What effect does acid rain have on buildings?
It damages rough surfaces, especially in cities.
Which phase gathers water into rivers, lakes, and oceans?
Collection.
Does the water cycle ever stop? Why or why not?
NO because Earth’s water is constantly recycled through different forms and places.
What happens to water after it falls to the ground during precipitation?
It collects as surface water or groundwater.
What happens when water seeps deep underground?
It becomes part of the groundwater system.
What does clean rain do to buildings with smooth surfaces?
It keeps them cleaner because there are no pollutants.
What happens to the water cycle if pollution is added to one phase?
It travels through all the phases
What happens to water that isn’t absorbed by the ground?
It flows into rivers, lakes, or oceans as runoff.