Water Cycle Basics
What process turns liquid water into water vapor?
Evaporation
What does “moisture” mean?
An amount of water in something
Where does most precipitation fall?
The ocean
What is a reservoir?
A place where water is stored
What is groundwater?
Water found below Earth’s surface
What is it called when water vapor cools and forms clouds?
Condensation
What is gravity?
A force that pulls objects toward Earth
What happens to water after it falls on land?
It evaporates, flows into rivers, or soaks into the ground
Name one place water is stored.
Oceans, lakes, glaciers, or groundwater
What is an aquifer?
Underground rock or sediment that holds water
What is any form of water that falls from clouds?
Precipitation
What does “permeable” mean?
Allows water to pass through
What causes water to move from higher to lower areas?
Gravity
What form is water stored in glaciers?
Ice
How does groundwater move?
From higher to lower areas
What two forces drive the water cycle?
The Sun and gravity
What does “intense” mean?
Very strong
What do small streams join to form?
Larger rivers
How long can water stay in reservoirs?
A long time (years to millions of years)
What happens when surface water seeps into the ground?
It becomes groundwater
Why do some water droplets not reach the ground?
They evaporate before falling
What does “immense” mean?
Very large
What eventually happens to most water in rivers?
It flows back to the ocean
What happens to snow over time to form glaciers?
It gets compressed into ice
How can groundwater return to the surface?
It seeps into streams, lakes, or wetlands