systems
A collection of objects that interact and/or influence
one another. These object often work together to answer a question or solve a problem
system
An area of higher elevation land that dictates where
surface water and groundwater drain.
watershed
Water that falls to the ground in the form of rain, snow, sleet, etc.
precipation
Height above or below a given location
elavation
A representation of objects or systems
models
Water located on the surface of the earth such as lakes and streams
surface water
The source of energy that causes water to move
energy driver
The force that pulls things towards the earth
gravity
A system within a system that has its own function
subsystem
Water that drains over the surface of the earth after falling as precipitation
runoff
The process of the flow of water from the ground to the roots through the leaves to the air.
transpiration
The process of water turning from a gas into a liquid
condensation
The parts (matter or energy) that enter the system from the outside.
system inputs
The natural and man-made places where water is found
reservoir
The process when energy from the sun excites water
molecules causing them to change from a liquid to a gas
evaperation
How close together or far apart molecules/atoms are.
relative spacing
The parts (matter or energy) that leave the system
system outputs
When water drains down into the ground/soil
Infiltration
The continuous movement of water between the earth's water reservoirs driven by energy from the sun and gravity.
Water cycle
A single particle of a substance
Molecule