The Water Cycle Quiz

Precipitation is any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that falls under gravity, including rain, snow, sleet, and hail.

Clouds are visible accumulations of minute water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the Earth's atmosphere, which are formed from water vapor.

Evaporation is the process by which water changes from a liquid state to a gas or vapor state, typically driven by heat from the sun.

Run-off refers to the water from rain, snowmelt, or other sources that flows over the land surface and eventually reaches streams, rivers, and oceans.

The sun provides the thermal energy necessary to heat the Earth's surface, particularly the oceans, which causes water to evaporate and fuels the water cycle.

Approximately 97 percent of the Earth's water is contained in the oceans, making them the largest reservoir of water on the planet.

Condensation is the process where water vapor in the air is changed into liquid water, which is how clouds and dew are formed.

The water cycle is a continuous process where water moves between the Earth's surface and the atmosphere. Because it is a cycle, it has no definitive beginning or end point.

Evaporation is the process where liquid water turns into water vapor. This phase change requires heat energy, which is provided by the sun in the natural water cycle.

Evaporation is driven by solar energy. Since there is less solar radiation reaching the surface at night, evaporation rates are generally lower compared to daytime.

In a model of the water cycle, the heat source is required to simulate the energy provided by the sun to evaporate water. A hot plate serves this function by heating the water.

The sun provides the thermal energy necessary to drive the water cycle, including evaporation and the movement of air masses. Without this energy input, the cycle would not function.

Precipitation occurs when water droplets or ice crystals in clouds become too large and heavy for the updrafts in the atmosphere to keep them suspended. Gravity then causes them to fall to the surface.

Precipitation refers to any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that falls under gravity. Common forms include rain, snow, sleet, and hail.

After water vapor condenses into clouds, the resulting water or ice particles fall to Earth as precipitation. This is the stage that returns water from the atmosphere to the surface.

Condensation is the process where water vapor cools down and changes from a gas back into liquid water droplets, which often form clouds.

Evaporation is the process by which liquid water is heated and converted into water vapor, allowing it to rise into the atmosphere.