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The Water Cycle-class notes

The water cycle, or hydrological cycle, is the continuous movement of water through various processes including evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff. It is vital for sustaining life, regulating climate, and maintaining the environment, while human activities can disrupt this cycle, causing droughts and water shortages. The cycle begins with evaporation, followed by condensation into clouds, precipitation, and either infiltration into the ground or runoff back to bodies of water.

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5 views

The Water Cycle-class notes

The water cycle, or hydrological cycle, is the continuous movement of water through various processes including evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff. It is vital for sustaining life, regulating climate, and maintaining the environment, while human activities can disrupt this cycle, causing droughts and water shortages. The cycle begins with evaporation, followed by condensation into clouds, precipitation, and either infiltration into the ground or runoff back to bodies of water.

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james6184098
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© © All Rights Reserved
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The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle, is the continuous movement

of water within the Earth and atmosphere. It involves various processes through
which water is circulated, changing between liquid, vapor, and solid states. This
cycle plays a crucial role in sustaining life on Earth, regulating climate, and
maintaining the environment.

The water cycle consists of several stages: evaporation, condensation,


precipitation, infiltration, and runoff.

Evaporation is the process by which water is heated by the Sun and changes from
liquid to water vapor. This occurs primarily in oceans, lakes, and rivers. Water
from plants also evaporates through a process called transpiration, where water is
absorbed by roots, moves through plant tissues, and is released as vapor through
small openings in leaves called stomata. The combination of evaporation and
transpiration is known as evapotranspiration.

As water vapor rises into the atmosphere, it cools and condenses, forming clouds.
This process is called condensation, where water vapor turns back into liquid
droplets. These droplets cluster together to form clouds, which can vary in size
and shape depending on factors like temperature and humidity.

When the clouds become heavy with water, the droplets combine and fall back to
Earth in the form of precipitation. Precipitation can occur in various forms,
including rain, snow, sleet, or hail, depending on the temperature. It replenishes
the Earth’s water supply and is a crucial part of the cycle.

Once the water reaches the Earth's surface, it can either infiltrate the ground,
replenishing groundwater supplies, or flow over the land as runoff. Infiltration
refers to water soaking into the soil, where it can be stored in underground
reservoirs known as aquifers. Runoff occurs when water moves across the surface of
the land and eventually returns to oceans, rivers, and lakes, where the cycle
starts again.

The water cycle is essential for maintaining a balance of water on Earth,


supporting ecosystems, agriculture, and human consumption. Human activities, such
as deforestation and pollution, can disrupt the water cycle, leading to issues like
droughts, flooding, and water shortages.

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