Water Cycle+ Watersheds

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Hydrologic Cycle Noun

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[hy-dro-loj-ik sy-kuhl]

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Hydrologic Cycle

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The continuous process by which water moves on, above, and below the Earth's surface, also known as the water cycle.

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Example: This diagram shows how water moves continuously through Earth's systems: evaporating from surfaces, condensing into clouds, falling as precipitation, and collecting in bodies of water.

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Water Vapor Noun

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[waw-ter vey-per]

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Water Vapor

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The invisible, gaseous form of water that is present in the atmosphere and is a key component of the water cycle.

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Example: Heat from the sun causes liquid water in a river to turn into an invisible gas called water vapor, which rises into the atmosphere to form clouds.

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Evaporation Noun

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[i-vap-uh-rey-shuhn]

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Evaporation

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The process where a liquid absorbs thermal energy and changes into a gas or vapor, rising into the atmosphere.

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Example: The sun's heat provides energy that causes liquid water from the ocean to turn into a gas (water vapor) and rise into the air.

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Thermal Energy Noun

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[thur-muhl en-er-jee]

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Thermal Energy

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Energy in the form of heat, which provides the power for the process of evaporation within the global water cycle.

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Example: The sun radiates thermal energy, which travels through space and warms the Earth, providing the power needed to drive the water cycle.

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Transpiration Noun

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[tran-spuh-rey-shuhn]

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Transpiration

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The process where plants absorb water through their roots and then release water vapor from pores in their leaves.

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Example: This diagram shows how plants absorb water through their roots, move it up the stem, and release it as water vapor from their leaves.

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Condensation Noun

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[kon-den-sey-shuhn]

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Condensation

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The process where water vapor in the air cools and changes back into liquid water droplets, leading to cloud formation.

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Example: Warm, moist air (gas) cools when it touches a cold glass surface, causing the water vapor in the air to turn into liquid water droplets.

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Crystallization Noun

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[kris-tuh-luh-zey-shuhn]

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Crystallization

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The process where water vapor cools and changes directly into solid ice crystals, which contributes to the formation of clouds.

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Example: This image shows an air parcel rising and cooling until its temperature reaches the dew point, causing water vapor to condense into a liquid water cloud.

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Precipitation Noun

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[pri-sip-i-tey-shuhn]

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Precipitation

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Any form of water, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, that is released from clouds and falls to Earth.

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Example: This image shows water falling from clouds as both rain and snow, illustrating that precipitation is any form of water falling from the atmosphere.

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Gravity Noun

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[grav-i-tee]

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Gravity

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The fundamental force that pulls objects toward Earth's center, driving precipitation and the downhill flow of water on land.

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Example: This diagram shows how the Moon's gravity pulls on Earth's oceans, creating tides. This is an example of gravity's effect on large bodies of water.

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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 collects on the surface of the ground, including bodies like streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and oceans.

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Example: This diagram shows a watershed, where water from rain or springs flows over the land's surface, collecting in streams and rivers.