click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Water Cycle
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Water Cycle | The continuous movement of water within the Earth and atmosphere. |
| Sun | The driving force of the water cycle (provides energy) |
| Evaporation | The process of liquid water changing into a gas (water vapor) by absorbing heat energy from the sun. |
| Transpiration | The release of water from plant leaves. |
| Condensation | The process of changing a gas (water vapor) to liquid water and creating clouds, fog or dew. |
| Dew | The water that forms when vapor cools and condenses on a surface like grass. |
| Precipitation | The release of water in the form of rain, snow, sleet or hail. |
| Runoff | Precipitation that has fallen back onto Earth's surface and is NOT absorbed into the ground. |
| Infiltration | The process of runoff water being absorbed, or soaked, into the ground. |
| Ground Water | The water that has been absorbed into the ground. |