Water and Weather

2. Water and Weather

3. Chapter Four: Water and the Water Cycle • 4.1 Water on Earth’s Surface • 4.2 The Water Cycle

4. Investigation 4B Water in Earth’s Atmosphere • How can we measure water content in the atmosphere?

5. A set of processes called the water cyclekeeps our water continuously recycled and naturally filtered. The water cycle is sometimes called the hydrologic cycle. 4.2 The Water Cycle The Sun, wind, weather, and gravity drive the water cycle.

6. The four main processes of the water cycle are evaporation, transpiration, condensation, and precipitation. Evaporationoccurs when liquid water has enough energy to leave the liquid phase and become a gas called water vapor. 4.2 Water cycle processes

7. Transpirationis the process in which plants lose water through tiny pores on their leaves. 4.2 Water cycle processes

8. Condensationoccurs when water in its gaseous phase loses energy. Water molecules cool and slow down so much that they group and form droplets of liquid. 4.2 The Water Cycle

9. Precipitation is any form of condensed water vapor in the atmosphere falling back to Earth. This includes rain, snow, sleet, and hail. 4.2 Water cycle processes

11. Precipitation that reaches Earth’s surface often flows over the land. This water, called surface runoff, eventually reaches lakes, rivers, and oceans. Surface runoff dissolves and collects minerals and nutrient-rich soil as it flows. 4.2 How water moves in the water cycle

12. Groundwater can be an collected in underground areas of sediment and rocks called an aquifer. When groundwater is removed from an aquifer for human consumption, it can take 300 to 1,000 years or more to replenish the supply. 4.2 How water moves in the water cycle

13. Percolationis the process of liquid moving through a substance that has many tiny holes or “pores”. Groundwater can move through soil because the soil is porous. 4.2 How water moves in the water cycle

14. Groundwater that is not pumped from an aquifer flows to oceans. Aquifers are important water sources. The Ogallala Aquifer is in danger of becoming depleted because the water is being used faster than it can be replenished. 4.2 How water moves in the water cycle

15. A watershedis an area of land that catches all precipitation and surface runoff. The water that comes to many homes in the United States originates in a watershed that can be local or from another region. 4.2 Watersheds

17. Volcanoes are also part of the water cycle. When a volcano erupts, water trapped in liquid rock called magma is released as water vapor into the atmosphere. 4.2 The water cycle and volcanoes

18. Hot springs are the result of groundwater coming in contact with hot rock or magma below Earth’s surface. A geyseris a hot spring in which the water pressure builds up. Eventually it explodes from the ground. 4.2 The water cycle and volcanoes

19. Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park is a geyser. Water that evaporates from geysers or hot springs becomes part of the water cycle. 4.2 The water cycle and volcanoes

20. Geology Connection The Wild World of Caves • People of all ages are fascinated by caves and the many legends and stories that have been told over the years. • Why are we drawn to caves?

21. Activity Conserving Water While You Brush • In this activity, you will determine how much water is wasted if the faucet is left running while you brush your teeth.