The Hydrosphere

Front

Hydrosphere Noun

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[hy-droh-sfeer]

Back

Hydrosphere

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All of Earth's water, including the water on the surface, underground, and in the atmosphere as water vapor.

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Example: The image shows Earth's water cycle, including surface water, groundwater, and water vapor, explaining the hydrosphere.

Front

Water Cycle Noun

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[waw-ter sy-kuhl]

Back

Water Cycle

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The continuous process by which water moves from Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back again, driven by solar energy.

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Example: This diagram shows how water moves through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation in the water cycle.

Front

Evaporation Noun

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[ih-vap-uh-rey-shuhn]

Back

Evaporation

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The process where molecules at the surface of a liquid absorb enough energy to change into a gaseous state.

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Example: Arrows show water molecules rising from the ocean into the air as vapor due to the sun's heat.

Front

Transpiration Noun

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[tran-spuh-rey-shuhn]

Back

Transpiration

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The process where plants absorb water through their roots and then release water vapor from their leaves into the atmosphere.

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Example: Water absorbed by roots travels up through the plant and is released as vapor from leaves.

Front

Condensation Noun

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[kon-den-sey-shuhn]

Back

Condensation

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The process by which water vapor in the air cools and changes back into liquid water, forming clouds.

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Example: Water vapor in the air turns into liquid on a cold window, showing condensation.

Front

Precipitation Noun

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[pri-sip-i-tey-shuhn]

Back

Precipitation

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Any form of water, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, that falls from clouds to Earth's surface.

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Example: Snow falls as precipitation when the air temperature is below freezing.

Front

Runoff Noun

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[ruhn-of]

Back

Runoff

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Water from precipitation that flows over the land surface rather than soaking into the ground, entering streams and lakes.

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Example: Water from rain flows over a hillside into a stream, demonstrating runoff.

Front

Glaciers Noun

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[gley-shers]

Back

Glaciers

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Thickened ice masses that form over land from the compaction of snow and store a large amount of fresh water.

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Example: Snow compacts into glacial ice, reducing air content and forming dense ice layers.

Front

River System Noun

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[riv-er sis-tuhm]

Back

River System

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A main river and all the smaller streams and rivers, known as tributaries, that flow into it.

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Example: The image shows a river system with tributaries flowing into a main river, ending in a delta.

Front

Tributaries Noun

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[trib-yoo-tair-ees]

Back

Tributaries

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The smaller streams and rivers that flow into a larger main river, contributing water to its overall volume.

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Example: Smaller streams labeled as tributaries flow into a larger main river, showing how they contribute to the river system.

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