Question

name
date
page 2
the water cycle:
energy and forces
answer the questions below.

1. name at least three different forms of precipitation.
2. transpiration is when a plant releases water vapor through its stomata, which are pores in its leaves and stems. what other process in the water cycle is this most similar to? explain your reasoning.
3. which process in the water cycle requires energy from the sun? explain how you know.
4. during which process in the water cycle does water release thermal energy? explain how you know.
5. if you leave a cold glass of water outside on a hot summer day, water droplets form on the outside of the glass. where does this water come from? what process in the water cycle causes this to happen?
6. which processes in the water cycle are driven by the force of gravity? explain how you know.

Explanation:

1. Precipitation forms include rain, snow, sleet, hail. These are common water cycle outputs.
2. Transpiration is like evaporation. Both turn liquid water to vapor (transpiration from plants, evaporation from water bodies).
3. Evaporation needs solar energy. Sun heats water, breaks bonds, turns liquid to vapor.
4. Condensation releases thermal energy. Gas to liquid, energy is given off (latent heat).
5. Water from air (atmospheric moisture). Process is condensation (vapor cools on cold glass, forms droplets).
6. Precipitation (rain/snow falls due to gravity), runoff (water flows downhill by gravity).

Answer:

1. Rain, snow, sleet.
2. Evaporation. Both involve liquid - to - vapor phase change (transpiration: plant water; evaporation: water body).
3. Evaporation. Sun’s heat provides energy to convert liquid water to vapor.
4. Condensation. As water vapor cools (loses thermal energy) to form liquid droplets.
5. Water comes from atmospheric moisture. Process: condensation (vapor cools on cold glass).
6. Precipitation (gravity pulls water/snow down), runoff (water flows downhill by gravity).