Water and Nitrogen Cycles

Front

What is the water cycle?

Back

The continuous movement of water between Earth's surface and the air, changing forms among the three states of matter.

Front

What causes water to evaporate?

Back

The Sun's energy.

Front

What is transpiration?

Back

The process where water evaporates from the leaves of plants.

Front

What happens during condensation?

Back

A gas changes to a liquid, forming clouds.

Front

What is precipitation?

Back

Water that falls from clouds as rain, sleet, snow, or hail.

Front

What is runoff?

Back

Water that flows over Earth's surface and gathers in lakes, oceans, and streams.

Front

What is groundwater?

Back

Water that soaks into the ground and moves downward through small cracks and spaces.

Front

What is the nitrogen cycle?

Back

The continuous circulation of nitrogen from air to soil to organisms and back to air or soil.

Front

How do plants use nitrogen?

Back

Plants absorb nitrogen from the soil to make proteins.

Front

What role do decomposers play in the nitrogen cycle?

Back

They help return nitrogen into the atmosphere through the decay of plants and animals.