MS-ESS2-4: Water Cycle Dynamics

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Closed System Noun

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[klohzd sis-tuhm]

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Closed System

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A system where almost no material comes in from an outside source and no material is lost.

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Example: A closed system has a boundary that prevents material from entering or leaving.

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Atmosphere Noun

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[at-muh-sfeer]

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Atmosphere

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The layer of gases surrounding the Earth, which contains water vapor, clouds, and other particles.

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Example: This diagram shows the layers of the atmosphere, highlighting different altitudes and temperatures.

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Surface Water Noun

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[sur-fis waw-ter]

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Surface Water

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Water that is found on the Earth's surface in places like oceans, rivers, and lakes.

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Example: This diagram shows surface water features such as rivers and lakes, with labels for each part.

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Groundwater Noun

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[ground-waw-ter]

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Groundwater

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Water that is stored underground within the small, empty spaces in soil or porous rock formations.

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Example: Groundwater is shown as water stored in layers of soil and rock beneath the surface.

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Glacier Noun

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[gley-sher]

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Glacier

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A very large, slow-moving mass of ice that holds a significant amount of Earth's fresh water.

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Example: A glacier is a large, slow-moving mass of ice, as shown by the expansive ice field in the image.

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Porous Adjective

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[por-uhs]

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Porous

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A quality of a material, like rock, that has small spaces or holes allowing water to be stored.

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Example: The image shows mineral grains with pore spaces, demonstrating how materials can store water.

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Precipitation Noun

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[pri-sip-i-tey-shuhn]

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Precipitation

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Water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface in forms like rain, snow, or hail.

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Example: Water droplets in clouds grow and fall as rain, showing precipitation.

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Pollutant Noun

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[puh-loo-tnt]

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Pollutant

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A substance that contaminates water, air, or soil, thereby lowering its overall quality and purity.

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Example: Pollutants are shown entering water, demonstrating contamination and filtration.

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Drought Noun

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[drout]

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Drought

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A long period of time with very little precipitation, which can often lead to severe water shortages.

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Example: A dry, cracked landscape under a hot sun shows a drought, indicating little precipitation over time.

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Flood Noun

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[fluhd]

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Flood

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An event where water overflows and covers land that is normally dry, often caused by heavy rain.

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Example: Water overflows onto land, submerging houses, illustrating a flood.