Hydrology: Infiltration and Runoff Concepts

This screencast by Mr. Stano continues the hydrology unit, focusing on infiltration and percolation. Infiltration is the process of water entering the ground, while percolation refers to water moving down through the ground. The video discusses factors affecting these processes, such as ground permeability, slope, and vegetation. It explains how flat, permeable surfaces enhance infiltration, whereas slopes and impermeable surfaces like pavement increase runoff. The video also covers the role of sediment size in permeability and concludes with a brief overview of the next topic.

What is the primary difference between runoff and infiltration?

• Runoff occurs only on slopes, while infiltration occurs only on flat surfaces.

• Runoff and infiltration are the same processes.

• Runoff is water flowing over the ground, while infiltration is water entering the ground.

• Runoff is water entering the ground, while infiltration is water flowing over the ground.

What is percolation in the context of hydrology?

• Water flowing over the ground surface.

• Water evaporating from the ground.

• Water moving down through the ground.

• Water entering the ground surface.

How does vegetation affect infiltration and runoff?

• Decreasing vegetation increases infiltration.

• Increasing vegetation increases runoff.

• Vegetation has no effect on infiltration or runoff.

• Increasing vegetation increases infiltration.

How does pavement affect water infiltration?

• Pavement has no effect on infiltration.

• Pavement allows water to evaporate quickly.

• Pavement decreases infiltration.

• Pavement increases infiltration.

Which landscape feature is most likely to increase runoff?

• Flat areas with vegetation.

• Steep slopes with vegetation.

• Flat areas with pavement.

• Steep slopes without vegetation.

What does permeability refer to in the context of soil?

• The ability of soil to allow water to move through it.

• The presence of nutrients in the soil.

• The ability of soil to absorb sunlight.

• The color of the soil.

Which condition is necessary for water to infiltrate the ground?

• The ground must be saturated.

• The ground must be impermeable.

• The ground must be frozen.

• The ground must have pore spaces.

What condition allows for a higher rate of infiltration?

• A steep slope.

• A gentle slope.

• A saturated ground.

• A frozen ground.

What happens to water movement when sediment size increases?

• Permeability increases.

• Permeability decreases.

• Water movement stops.

• Water movement becomes unpredictable.

What is the relationship between sediment size and permeability?

• Larger sediment size increases permeability.

• Sediment size has no effect on permeability.

• Smaller sediment size increases permeability.

• Larger sediment size decreases permeability.