Water cycle definitions

Water Cycle

The movement of water through Earth's spheres.

evaporation

Heat energy from the sun changes water from a liquid to a gas. The water vapor travels from a body of water on the surface of the Earth to the atmosphere.

transpiration

Groundwater travels up the roots and stem of the plant and out tiny holes in the leaves.

condensation

This part of the water cycle creates clouds. Cool temperatures cause water vapor (gas) to change into liquid droplets.

Precipitation

Water that falls to Earth as rain, snow, hail, or sleet.

Runoff

When rain flows along the surface of the Earth into large bodies of water.

Infiltration

The point where water hits the soil.

Collection

Places where water on earth is stored. These locations include the surface of Earth, in the ground and in the atmosphere.

Percolation

The movement of water through the layers of soil.

Transpiration

How does water travel from a plant to a cloud?

Cellular respiration

During what process is water vapor transferred from an animal to a cloud?

Evaporation

Heat is absorbed during this phase of the water cycle.

Condensation

Heat is released during this phase of the water cycle.

ground water

the water beneath the surface of the ground...source of water for wells & springs

water table

The surface under the ground below which is saturated with water

discharge

Water (& sediments, etc.) that are emptying from one moving source (stream or river) into another moving or still source (river or lake)

Aquifer

any geological formation containing or conducting ground water, esp. one that supplies the water for wells, springs, etc

Evapotranspiration

The sum of evaporation & transpiration

Permeability

the capability of a porous rock or sediment to permit the flow of fluids through its pore spaces.

Impermeable

Does not allow the passage of a fluid