Download Study Vocabulary for Earth`s Water Unit

Roles of Water
Word
Water Cycle
Definitions
The continuous movement of water on Earth.
+Cycle never stops & has been going on for millions of years.
Roles of Water
Words
Powers The Water
Cycle
Definitions
Energy from the sun powers the cycle
Evaporation
Evaporation is the process of transforming from a liquid to a gas.
The sun heats the liquid water and turns it into water vapor.
+Starting point of the water cycle.
Evapotranspiration
The loss of water from the soil through both evaporation & transpiration from plants.
Condensation
The opposite of evaporation and is the process by which a vapor becomes a liquid.
+As water condenses, millions of tiny droplets of water join to create clouds
Precipitation
Water falling to the Earth from the atmosphere.
+Hail, sleet, rain, & snow.
Interception
The process of precipitation being evaporated by (plants & puddles) & not
completing the cycle back into the atmosphere before it completes the cycle.
Roles of Water
Word
Infiltration
Definitions
The movement of water through Earth's surface.
+As the water soaks into the ground it moves between the soil and rocks.
+Plants soak up some of the water but the majority of the water reaches a
level that is filled with water, called ground water.
Percolation
Run Off
Describes the action of water as it moves through spaces in the soil and rock.
Precipitation that travels over the landscape and runs into
streams, rivers, and lakes on Earth.
+ Run off from snowmelt is a major component of the water cycle.
Storage
Water Cycle States
of Matter
Water is stored not only in visible sources such as rivers and lakes, but also in
groundwater or ice caps.
Roles of Water
Word
Transpiration
Definitions
Water from the leaves, stems or flowers of plants is converted from
water into water vapor
Forces of the
Water Cycle
While the Sun is the primary driving force behind the water cycle.
+Forces influencing the cycle-(gravity, the atmosphere, & land masses).
Gravity
+Pulls the water back to Earth in the form of precipitation.
+Causes runoff to flow.
+Pulls against water, eroding soil, cutting canyons & transporting sediments.
Sunlight
+Amount of sunlight and its angle of the earth in relation to the sun.
Convection
Currents
Uneven global heat distribution causes convection currents to attempt to equalize
the heat distribution around Earth.
+The heated air at the equator rises up, and spreads north & south towards the
poles warming the water as it moves. Eventually, the water cools & sinks down
in the polar regions, and then flows across Earth's surface to the equator.
+ At the equator the warm air heats the water & the cycle repeats itself.
Ocean
Temperature
+Ocean store more heat/thermal energy
+Helping regulate the climate of Earth.
Warm Water
+Found near the equator & moves toward the poles
Ocean Currents
Influences By
Ocean currents are influenced by the water temperatures & the position of
landmasses.
Roles of Water
Word
Coriolis Effect
Definition
Earth’s rotation effects air currents moving northward causing them to veer off.
The air currents are pushed to the right, in the direction of rotation.
Air exchange between equator and poles are classified into three circulation belts; 1)
Westerlies, 2) Northeasterly Trades and Southeasterly Trades.
Coriolis
Impact
Effect
Moving Air =
Moving Water
+ Air currents from the equator bring with them lots of moisture & large quantities of
clouds—leading to lots of rainfall & wet tropical environments in the area.
+ Water has a higher heat capacity----causing it to absorb & release heat.
+Evaporation and condensation cycle is a main way heat is transferred from Earth's
surface to the atmosphere and in moving heat around Earth.
Gyre
Ocean Circulation
System
Tides
pattern of surface circulation
Warm equatorial surface waters move towards the poles where they cool and return
back towards the equator along the sea floor.
Tides are the periodic rise and falling of large bodies of water.
+Formed by the attraction between Earth and the moon.
Roles of Water
Word
Global Conveyor
Belt
Definitions
Water enters the poles & becomes cooler forming sea ice.
+As the water freezes the salt is left behind. As the sea water gets colder and
saltier its density increases and it starts to sink towards the bottom.
+Surface water is pulled in to replace the sinking water and it turn eventually
becomes cold and salty enough to sink. ---Thus a current is formed.
Weathering
Is the breaking down of the surface of rock, soil, and minerals into smaller pieces.
+Water most powerful weathering force.
+Frozen water enters the crack of rocks & splits them in half.
Erosion
Movement of particles away from their source.
Erosion is facilitated by water, oceans, wind & glaciers.
Deposition
Is when soil & rocks are deposited somewhere different than where they started.
+The tiny pieces of rocks that are deposited are sediments
Water’s Role In
Weathering &
Erosion
Water is nature's most versatile tool and is responsible for the bulk
of erosion on the planet, from ocean waves and currents to
sediment filled streams, rivers, and floods.