Energy Moves Water - Middle School Earth and Space Science
Card 1 of 25
Which option correctly identifies the two main drivers of water movement in the water cycle?
Which option correctly identifies the two main drivers of water movement in the water cycle?
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Solar energy and gravity. Sun powers evaporation; gravity drives precipitation and runoff.
Solar energy and gravity. Sun powers evaporation; gravity drives precipitation and runoff.
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What is the process called when plants release water vapor to the atmosphere?
What is the process called when plants release water vapor to the atmosphere?
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Transpiration. Plants absorb water through roots and release it through leaf pores.
Transpiration. Plants absorb water through roots and release it through leaf pores.
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What is infiltration in a soil-and-water model?
What is infiltration in a soil-and-water model?
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Water soaking into the ground from the surface. Porous soil allows water to move downward through spaces.
Water soaking into the ground from the surface. Porous soil allows water to move downward through spaces.
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Which statement matches a correct model: Sun drives evaporation, or gravity drives evaporation?
Which statement matches a correct model: Sun drives evaporation, or gravity drives evaporation?
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Sun drives evaporation. Solar energy provides heat needed for water to vaporize.
Sun drives evaporation. Solar energy provides heat needed for water to vaporize.
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What is the primary energy source that drives evaporation in the water cycle?
What is the primary energy source that drives evaporation in the water cycle?
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Solar energy from the Sun. Heat from the Sun provides energy to convert liquid water to vapor.
Solar energy from the Sun. Heat from the Sun provides energy to convert liquid water to vapor.
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What force pulls water downhill as runoff and moves groundwater toward lower elevations?
What force pulls water downhill as runoff and moves groundwater toward lower elevations?
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Gravity. Earth's gravitational pull moves water from higher to lower elevations.
Gravity. Earth's gravitational pull moves water from higher to lower elevations.
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What process changes liquid water at Earth’s surface into water vapor using solar energy?
What process changes liquid water at Earth’s surface into water vapor using solar energy?
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Evaporation. Solar heat provides energy for water molecules to escape as vapor.
Evaporation. Solar heat provides energy for water molecules to escape as vapor.
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What process releases water vapor from plant leaves into the atmosphere?
What process releases water vapor from plant leaves into the atmosphere?
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Transpiration. Plants release water vapor through stomata as part of photosynthesis.
Transpiration. Plants release water vapor through stomata as part of photosynthesis.
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What is the single term for evaporation plus transpiration in Earth system models?
What is the single term for evaporation plus transpiration in Earth system models?
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Evapotranspiration. Combines water loss from soil/water surfaces and plant leaves.
Evapotranspiration. Combines water loss from soil/water surfaces and plant leaves.
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What process turns water vapor into liquid droplets when air cools?
What process turns water vapor into liquid droplets when air cools?
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Condensation. Water vapor loses energy and forms liquid droplets when cooled.
Condensation. Water vapor loses energy and forms liquid droplets when cooled.
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What is the term for water falling from clouds to the ground as rain, snow, sleet, or hail?
What is the term for water falling from clouds to the ground as rain, snow, sleet, or hail?
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Precipitation. Gravity pulls water droplets/ice crystals from clouds to Earth.
Precipitation. Gravity pulls water droplets/ice crystals from clouds to Earth.
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What is the term for water that flows over land into streams and rivers after precipitation?
What is the term for water that flows over land into streams and rivers after precipitation?
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Surface runoff. Gravity pulls water across land surfaces toward lower elevations.
Surface runoff. Gravity pulls water across land surfaces toward lower elevations.
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What is the process of water soaking into the ground from the surface?
What is the process of water soaking into the ground from the surface?
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Infiltration. Water enters soil through pore spaces and cracks.
Infiltration. Water enters soil through pore spaces and cracks.
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What is the process of infiltrated water moving downward through soil and rock due to gravity?
What is the process of infiltrated water moving downward through soil and rock due to gravity?
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Percolation. Gravity pulls infiltrated water deeper through soil layers.
Percolation. Gravity pulls infiltrated water deeper through soil layers.
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What is the underground zone where all pores and cracks are completely filled with water?
What is the underground zone where all pores and cracks are completely filled with water?
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Zone of saturation. Below this depth, all available spaces contain water.
Zone of saturation. Below this depth, all available spaces contain water.
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What is the boundary between the zone of aeration and the zone of saturation called?
What is the boundary between the zone of aeration and the zone of saturation called?
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Water table. Marks the top of the saturated zone underground.
Water table. Marks the top of the saturated zone underground.
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What is an aquifer in a groundwater model?
What is an aquifer in a groundwater model?
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Permeable rock or sediment that stores and transmits water. Porous rock/sediment allows water storage and movement.
Permeable rock or sediment that stores and transmits water. Porous rock/sediment allows water storage and movement.
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Which model component represents gravity-driven movement of groundwater from high to low elevation?
Which model component represents gravity-driven movement of groundwater from high to low elevation?
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Groundwater flow toward lower hydraulic head. Gravity causes water to flow from high to low pressure areas.
Groundwater flow toward lower hydraulic head. Gravity causes water to flow from high to low pressure areas.
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Identify the model arrow direction for runoff on a sloped surface: uphill or downhill?
Identify the model arrow direction for runoff on a sloped surface: uphill or downhill?
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Downhill. Gravity always pulls water toward lower elevations.
Downhill. Gravity always pulls water toward lower elevations.
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Which process should be labeled on a model arrow from ocean surface to atmosphere: evaporation or precipitation?
Which process should be labeled on a model arrow from ocean surface to atmosphere: evaporation or precipitation?
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Evaporation. Water moves from ocean to air as vapor, not liquid drops.
Evaporation. Water moves from ocean to air as vapor, not liquid drops.
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Which process should be labeled on a model arrow from cloud to ground: condensation or precipitation?
Which process should be labeled on a model arrow from cloud to ground: condensation or precipitation?
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Precipitation. Water falls from clouds as rain/snow, not just forms droplets.
Precipitation. Water falls from clouds as rain/snow, not just forms droplets.
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Identify the correct label for a model arrow from atmosphere to plant leaves: transpiration or precipitation?
Identify the correct label for a model arrow from atmosphere to plant leaves: transpiration or precipitation?
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Precipitation. Water falls onto plants from above, not released from leaves.
Precipitation. Water falls onto plants from above, not released from leaves.
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Which statement matches a correct model: gravity drives downhill flow, or Sun drives downhill flow?
Which statement matches a correct model: gravity drives downhill flow, or Sun drives downhill flow?
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Gravity drives downhill flow. Gravity, not solar energy, pulls water downward.
Gravity drives downhill flow. Gravity, not solar energy, pulls water downward.
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What phase change occurs when liquid water absorbs solar energy and becomes water vapor?
What phase change occurs when liquid water absorbs solar energy and becomes water vapor?
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Evaporation. Solar heat energy breaks bonds between water molecules, creating vapor.
Evaporation. Solar heat energy breaks bonds between water molecules, creating vapor.
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What force pulls water downhill and drives runoff and streamflow?
What force pulls water downhill and drives runoff and streamflow?
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Gravity. This downward force causes water to flow from high to low elevations.
Gravity. This downward force causes water to flow from high to low elevations.
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