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The Water Cycle
The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle, is the continuous
movement of water on, above, and below the Earth's surface. It plays a
vital role in maintaining the Earth's water supply and supporting
various life forms.
The water cycle consists of several processes that work together to
circulate and distribute water throughout the planet. The first step is
evaporation, where the heat from the sun causes water from oceans,
lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water to turn into water vapor and
rise into the atmosphere. This process is also aided by transpiration,
where plants release water vapor through their leaves.
As the water vapor rises into the atmosphere, it undergoes condensation.
This occurs when the water vapor cools down and transforms back into
liquid form, forming clouds. The process of condensation is essential
for the formation of precipitation, which is the next stage in the water
cycle.
Precipitation includes various forms of water falling from the
atmosphere to the Earth's surface, such as rain, snow, sleet, and hail.
When the clouds become saturated with water vapor, it results in the
release of precipitation. The type of precipitation that falls depends
on the temperature conditions of the atmosphere.
Once the precipitation reaches the Earth's surface, it goes through the
processes of infiltration and runoff. Infiltration occurs when the water
seeps into the ground and becomes groundwater, which can later be
accessed by plants and replenish underground water sources. Runoff, on
the other hand, happens when the water flows over the land surface and
collects in streams, rivers, and eventually reaches larger bodies of
water like lakes and oceans.
The final step in the water cycle is known as transpiration, which is
the process by which plants release water vapor through their leaves.
This completes the cycle as the water vapor returns to the atmosphere,
and the entire process starts again.
The water cycle is crucial for maintaining the Earth's water balance and
supporting ecosystems. It helps to regulate temperatures, distribute
freshwater resources, and ensure the survival of various plant and
animal species. |
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What is the water cycle? |
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What causes the water to rise into the atmosphere
during the water cycle? |
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What happens during condensation in the water cycle? |
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Name at least two forms of precipitation mentioned in
the passage. |
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Explain the processes of infiltration and runoff in the
water cycle. |
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Answers |
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| 1. |
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The water cycle refers to the continuous movement of
water on, above, and below the Earth's surface, involving processes such
as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff. |
| 2. |
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The heat from the sun causes water from oceans, lakes,
rivers, and other bodies of water to turn into water vapor and rise into
the atmosphere during the water cycle. |
| 3. |
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Condensation occurs when the water vapor cools down and
transforms back into liquid form, forming clouds. |
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Rain, snow, sleet, and hail are forms of precipitation
mentioned in the passage. |
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Infiltration occurs when water seeps into the ground
and becomes groundwater, replenishing underground water sources. Runoff
happens when water flows over the land surface and collects in streams,
rivers, and eventually reaches larger bodies of water like lakes and
oceans. |
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