The Water Cycle Flashcards

Grade 7 · Science · Flashcards

Key vocabulary for water cycle processes, freshwater distribution, and Earth's hydrosphere.

Flashcards

Water cycle: The continuous circulation of water through Earth's atmosphere, land, and oceans.
Evaporation: The change of liquid water into water vapor using heat energy from the Sun.
Transpiration: The release of water vapor through plant leaf openings (stomata).
Evapotranspiration: Combined water vapor released by evaporation and plant transpiration.
Condensation: The change of water vapor into liquid droplets when air cools; forms clouds and dew.
Precipitation: Any form of water that falls from clouds: rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
Infiltration: Water soaking into the soil and rock below the surface.
Runoff: Water that flows over the land surface into streams and rivers.
Groundwater: Water stored in underground rock layers called aquifers.
Aquifer: An underground layer of rock or sediment that holds and transmits groundwater.
Surface water: Fresh water found in rivers, lakes, streams, and reservoirs on land.
Hydrosphere: All the water on, in, and above Earth — includes oceans, ice, freshwater, and water vapor.
Cryosphere: The frozen portions of Earth's water, including glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice.
Water vapor: The gaseous form of water found in Earth's atmosphere.