Understanding the Water Cycle: A Vocabulary Worksheet
The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, is the continuous process by which water is circulated between the Earth and the atmosphere. It is a vital process that sustains life on Earth, and understanding its various components is essential for appreciating the importance of water in our planet’s ecosystem.
Key Terms
Below are some key terms related to the water cycle. Read through each term and its definition, and then complete the exercises that follow.
- Evaporation: The process by which water is transformed from a liquid state into a gas or vapor.
- Condensation: The process by which water vapor is transformed back into a liquid state.
- Precipitation: Water that falls to the Earth’s surface, including rain, snow, sleet, and hail.
- Runoff: Water that flows over the land’s surface and into streams, rivers, and lakes.
- Infiltration: The process by which water seeps into the soil and becomes groundwater.
- Transpiration: The process by which plants release water vapor into the air through their leaves.
- Cloud: A collection of water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air.
- Groundwater: Water stored beneath the Earth’s surface in soil, aquifers, and other geological formations.
Exercise 1: Matching
Match each term with its correct definition.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Evaporation | A. Water that falls to the Earth's surface |
| Condensation | B. The process by which water vapor is transformed back into a liquid state |
| Precipitation | C. The process by which water is transformed from a liquid state into a gas or vapor |
| Runoff | D. Water that flows over the land's surface and into streams, rivers, and lakes |
| Infiltration | E. The process by which water seeps into the soil and becomes groundwater |
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following sentences with the correct term.
- During the water cycle, _______________________ occurs when the sun heats up the Earth’s surface, causing water to evaporate.
- As water vapor rises into the air, it cools and undergoes _______________________, forming clouds.
- When the clouds become saturated with water, _______________________ occurs, and water falls to the Earth’s surface.
- Once the water reaches the ground, some of it flows over the surface as _______________________.
- Some of the water that falls to the ground seeps into the soil and becomes _______________________.
Exercise 3: Short Answer
Answer the following question in complete sentences.
What is the role of transpiration in the water cycle?
Exercise 4: Essay Question
Explain the importance of the water cycle in sustaining life on Earth. Be sure to include at least three key terms from the vocabulary list in your answer.
📝 Note: Make sure to proofread your answers for spelling and grammar errors before submitting your work.
What is the main process by which water is circulated between the Earth and the atmosphere?
+The main process by which water is circulated between the Earth and the atmosphere is the water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle.
What is the role of evaporation in the water cycle?
+Evaporation is the process by which water is transformed from a liquid state into a gas or vapor, which then rises into the air and forms clouds.
What is the difference between runoff and infiltration?
+Runoff is water that flows over the land's surface and into streams, rivers, and lakes, while infiltration is the process by which water seeps into the soil and becomes groundwater.
The water cycle is a vital process that sustains life on Earth, and understanding its various components is essential for appreciating the importance of water in our planet’s ecosystem. By completing the exercises in this worksheet, you have demonstrated your knowledge of key terms related to the water cycle and have a better understanding of the processes that circulate water between the Earth and the atmosphere.
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