The Processes of the Water Cycle

What does the water balance equation summarise?

• The amount of water stored in lakes

• he energy transferred in the water cycle

• The flows of water in a drainage basin over time

• The water use in agriculture

Which of the following completes the water balance equation?

Precipitation (P) = ?

• Run-off + infiltration ± storage

• Transpiration + evaporation ± storage

• Evapotranspiration (E) + Streamflow (Q) ± Storage

• Condensation + infiltration ± evaporation

Which of these is NOT a principal flow in the water cycle?

• Infiltration

• Throughflow

• Melting

• Run-off

What is the dew point?

• The point at which rainwater evaporates

• The height where clouds form

• The temperature at which vapour condenses

• The freezing point of water in the atmosphere

Which form of precipitation is most common?

• Hail

• Rain and snow

• Sleet and drizzle

• Ice pellets

In high latitudes, why can there be a delay in run-off after snowfall?

• Snow is lighter than rain

• It takes time for snow to reach rivers

• Snow may remain on the ground for months

• Rain never falls in high latitudes

What happens during high-intensity precipitation?

• Water infiltrates deeply into the soil

• Water evaporates before hitting the ground

• It moves rapidly overland into streams and rivers

• It causes immediate cloud formation

What does a longer precipitation duration increase the risk of?

• Less infiltration

• Soil drying

• River flooding

• Ice formation

In areas with rainy and dry seasons, what happens during the dry season?

• River discharge increases

• Rivers may cease to flow

• Evaporation decreases

• Precipitation becomes more intense

What is transpiration?

• Movement of water in rivers

• Water vapour released from clouds

• Water vapour released from plant leaves

• Water turning into ice in the soil