The Water Cycle

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What is the water cycle?

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

What is evaporation?

Evaporation is the process where liquid water turns into vapor and rises into the atmosphere.

What happens during condensation?

Condensation is when water vapor cools and transforms back into liquid droplets.

What is precipitation?

Precipitation is any form of water, like rain, snow, or sleet, that falls from clouds to the Earth's surface.

What role do plants play in the water cycle?

Plants contribute through a process called transpiration, releasing water vapor into the air.

How does the sun influence the water cycle?

The sun provides energy that drives processes like evaporation and helps maintain the water cycle.

What is infiltration in the water cycle context?

Infiltration is the process where water soaks into the soil from the ground's surface.

What is runoff?

Runoff is water, usually from precipitation, that flows over the land's surface to bodies of water.

How do clouds form in the water cycle?

Clouds form when water vapor condenses into tiny droplets or ice crystals.

What is sublimation in the water cycle?

Sublimation is the transition of water from solid directly to gas without becoming liquid.

Why is the water cycle important for life on Earth?

The water cycle distributes water, supports all ecosystems, and regulates climate.

What is groundwater recharge?

It's the process where water percolates through the soil to replenish underground reservoirs.

How does climate change affect the water cycle?

Climate change alters patterns of precipitation, evaporation, and water availability.

What is the role of oceans in the water cycle?

Oceans are primary sources of evaporation and precipitation, regulating weather and climate.

What happens to water after precipitation?

After precipitation, water can infiltrate the ground, become runoff, or evaporate back into the atmosphere.

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