Water on Earth's Surface

Front

Water Cycle Noun

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[wah-ter sy-kuhl]

Back

Water Cycle

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The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.

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Example: The image shows the water cycle stages like evaporation, condensation, and precipitation with clear labels and arrows.

Front

Evaporation Noun

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[ee-vap-uh-rey-shuhn]

Back

Evaporation

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The process where liquid water changes into a gas called water vapor, typically due to heat from the sun.

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Example: Heat from the sun causes water to evaporate into vapor.

Front

Condensation Noun

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[kon-den-sey-shuhn]

Back

Condensation

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

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Example: Warm air rises, cools, and forms clouds, demonstrating condensation.

Front

Crystallization Noun

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[kris-tuh-luh-zey-shuhn]

Back

Crystallization

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The process where water vapor cools and changes directly into solid ice crystals, which can form clouds.

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Example: Water vapor cools and forms ice crystals in clouds.

Front

Precipitation Noun

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[pri-sip-i-tey-shuhn]

Back

Precipitation

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Moisture that falls from clouds to Earth's surface, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

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Example: Clouds releasing rain and snow demonstrate precipitation.

Front

Gravity Noun

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[grav-i-tee]

Back

Gravity

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The fundamental force that pulls water down from the atmosphere and causes it to flow downhill on the surface.

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Example: An apple falling from a tree shows how gravity pulls objects down.

Front

Reservoir Noun

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[rez-er-vwahr]

Back

Reservoir

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A natural or artificial storage area for water, such as an ocean, lake, glacier, or groundwater.

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Example: A dam creates a reservoir by holding back water, storing it for various uses.

Front

Surface Water Noun

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[sur-fis wah-ter]

Back

Surface Water

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Water that collects on the surface of the ground, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams.

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Example: The image shows how surface water includes rivers and tributaries flowing over land.

Front

Groundwater Noun

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[ground-wah-ter]

Back

Groundwater

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Water held underground in the soil or in pores and crevices in rock.

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Example: This image shows how groundwater is stored in layers of soil and rock beneath the Earth's surface.

Front

Aquifer Noun

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[ak-wuh-fer]

Back

Aquifer

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An underground layer of permeable rock or sediment that holds a significant amount of water.

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Example: The image shows an underground layer of rock holding water, labeled as an aquifer, with arrows indicating water flow.