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Water Cycle
Terms and Concepts
Term | Definition |
---|---|
radiation | Electromagnetic waves and heat generated by the Sun. |
evaporation | Liquid water is changed into a gas due to temperature increase / radiation from the sun. |
condensation | Water vapor in the atmosphere is changed into liquid droplet due to a decrease in temperature. |
clouds | Three main types: cirrus, cumulus, and stratus. Clouds form when water droplet attach to particles in the air: dirt, smoke, or salt. |
cirrus | Highest level clouds made up of ice crystals. "Cirrus" means curl of hair. Looks wispy. |
cumulus | Mid-level clouds. Looks large and puffy like a cotton ball. Usually means sunny weather. |
stratus | Lowest level type cloud. "Strato" means spread out. Looks like layers. |
precipitation | Liquid droplet that fall to the ground as rain, sleet, snow or hail. |
transpiration | Water vapor released by plant and trees during the process of photosynthesis |
photosynthesis | The process by which plants and trees make their own food and energy using sunlight. |
surface Runoff | Precipitation runs across the surface of the Earth back into bodies of water, |
infiltration | Precipitation is absorbed by the ground into water sheds and aquifers. |
ground water | Water that collects under ground and eventually flowing back into the ocean. |