Water Cycle
What is the process where liquid water changes into water vapour?
Evaporation.
What term describes short-term changes in atmospheric conditions?
Weather.
Is most of the Earth's water freshwater or saltwater?
Saltwater.
What two measurements are displayed on a climate graph?
Temperature and precipitation (rainfall).
What is a drought?
An extended period of below-average rainfall.
What is the name for water falling from clouds as rain, hail, sleet or snow?
Precipitation.
What term describes the long-term pattern of atmospheric conditions in an area?
Climate.
Approximately what percentage of Earth's water is freshwater?
3%.
Which colour is typically used for precipitation columns in the booklet's climate graphs?
Blue.
What is water scarcity?
A situation where available water cannot adequately meet the needs of people and the environment.
What happens when water vapour cools and changes into tiny liquid droplets?
Condensation.
What is the term for water stored beneath the Earth's surface?
Groundwater.
Where is most of the world's freshwater stored?
In glaciers and permanent snow cover.
What does the red line represent on the booklet's climate graphs?
Temperature.
Name two ways people can conserve water at home.
Examples: shorter showers, fixing leaking taps, collecting rainwater, or using water-efficient appliances.
What is the geographical term for water flowing over the Earth's surface into rivers, lakes and oceans?
Runoff.
What is a synoptic chart used for?
Showing atmospheric conditions at a particular time to help predict short-term weather.
What is an aquifer?
A layer of rock or sediment that stores and transmits groundwater.
Why do many coastal areas of Australia receive more rainfall than inland areas?
Coastal areas are generally closer to sources of moist ocean air, while inland areas are often drier due to atmospheric circulation, distance from the ocean and topography.
Explain how drinking contaminated water can affect a community.
Contaminated water can spread waterborne diseases, causing illness and disrupting school, work and daily life.
Explain how evaporation, condensation and precipitation work together in the water cycle.
The Sun heats water, causing evaporation. Water vapour rises and cools, causing condensation. When droplets become large enough, they fall as precipitation.
What is orographic rainfall?
Rainfall produced when moist air is forced upwards over mountains, cools and condenses, producing precipitation on the windward side.
Explain why having large amounts of water on Earth does not mean everyone has easy access to safe drinking water.
Most water is salty, much freshwater is frozen or underground, and accessible water is unevenly distributed or may be contaminated.
What is a water catchment, and where does the water collected within it travel?
An area of land where rainfall and runoff drain towards a common river, lake, ocean or groundwater system.
A town has experienced several years of low rainfall, and its water supplies are running low. Explain two strategies the community could use to manage water scarcity.
Examples: introduce water restrictions, repair leaks, reuse treated wastewater, collect rainwater or improve water-efficient irrigation.