write about water cycle 200 words
Answers
The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle or the hydrologic cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth. The mass of water on Earth remains fairly constant over time but the partitioning of the water into the major reservoirs of ice, fresh water, saline water and atmospheric water is variable depending on a wide range of climatic variables. The water moves from one reservoir to another, such as from river to ocean, or from the ocean to the atmosphere, by the physical processes of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, surface runoff, and subsurface flow. In doing so, the water goes through different forms: liquid, solid (ice) and vapor.
The water cycle involves the exchange of energy, which leads to temperature changes. When water evaporates, it takes up energy from its surroundings and cools the environment. When it condenses, it releases energy and warms the environment. These heat exchanges influence climate.
The evaporative phase of the cycle purifies water which then replenishes the land with freshwater. The flow of liquid water and ice transports minerals across the globe. It is also involved in reshaping the geological features of the Earth, through processes including erosion and sedimentation. The water cycle is also essential for the maintenance of most life and ecosystems on the planet.The sun, which drives the water cycle, heats water in oceans and seas. Water evaporates as water vapor into the air. Some ice and snow sublimates directly into water vapor. Evapotranspiration is water transpired from plants and evaporated from the soil. The water molecule H
2O has smaller molecular mass than the major components of the atmosphere, nitrogen and oxygen, N
2 and O
2, hence is less dense. Due to the significant difference in density, buoyancy drives humid air higher. As altitude increases, air pressure decreases and the temperature drops (see Gas laws). The lower temperature causes water vapor to condense into tiny liquid water droplets which are heavier than the air, and fall unless supported by an updraft. A huge concentration of these droplets over a large space up in the atmosphere become visible as cloud. Some condensation is near ground level, and called fog.
Atmospheric circulation moves water vapor around the globe, cloud particles collide, grow, and fall out of the upper atmospheric layers as precipitation. Some precipitation falls as snow or hail, sleet, and can accumulate as ice caps and glaciers, which can store frozen water for thousands of years. Most water falls back into the oceans or onto land as rain, where the water flows over the ground as surface runoff. A portion of runoff enters rivers in valleys in the landscape, with streamflow moving water towards the oceans. Runoff and water emerging from the ground (groundwater) may be stored as freshwater in lakes. Not all runoff flows into rivers, much of it soaks into the ground as infiltration. Some water infiltrates deep into the ground and replenishes aquifers, which can store freshwater for long periods of time. Some infiltration stays close to the land surface and can seep back into surface-water bodies (and the ocean) as groundwater discharge. Some groundwater finds openings in the land surface and comes out as freshwater springs. In river valleys and floodplains, there is often continuous water exchange between surface water and ground water in the hyporheic zone. Over time, the water returns to the ocean, to continue the water cycle
Answer:
The continual flow of water from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back to the ground is known as the water cycle or hydrological cycle.
Explanation:
The continual flow of water from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back to the ground is known as the water cycle or hydrological cycle. It is a continuous process. As a result, it lacks a beginning and an end.
The water on Earth has been in motion since the Earth's evolution. Water transitions between its three states—the solid phase, liquid phase, and gas phase—during the process. The water cycle, the sun, air currents, and other processes are supported by a variety of factors.
the phases of the water cycle
Stage 1: Evaporation and Transpiration
The sun's radiation warms lakes, rivers, oceans, marshes, and other bodies of water, which in turn causes the water inside of them to get hotter. Therefore, some water vaporizes and is released into the atmosphere. The vapor is carried into the atmosphere by rising air streams. Additionally, water from plants and trees is frequently lost to the environment as vapor rises to the sky.
Stage 2: Condensation
As the temperature drops, they cool down, turning back into liquid condensation as the vapors ascend to great heights. The movement of the moisture due to wind and air currents helps clouds develop.
Stage 3: Precipitation
Particles clash with the clouds due to wind motion. Precipitation is the process by which these vapors turn into clouds bringing rain when they absorb enough water to do so. This may occur in the form of rain, hail, snow, or sleet, depending on the climate.
Stage 4: Runoff and Infiltration
The precipitation falls to the ground and soaks up by the soil, rivers, and oceans.
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