Question

activity: the water cycle
get the gizmo ready:

• select the simulation tab, and click reset.

question: what are the parts of the water cycle?

1. collect data: create two water cycles using the gizmo. each cycle should have at least four steps and should begin and end at the same location. choose any starting point from the list on the right. when the cycle is complete, choose the path tab and write the steps below.

cycle 1:
cycle 2:

1. analyze: use the information presented in the gizmo to answer the following questions.

a. what percentage of earth’s water can be found in soil?
b. what percentage of earth’s water is stored in ice and snow?
c. what percentage of earth’s fresh water is stored in ice and snow?
d. what percentage of earth’s water is found in lakes?
e. what is transpiration? (hint: click the vegetation button.)
f. what human activity uses the most water worldwide?
g. what human activity uses the most water in the united states?
h. what organisms break down chemical wastes in a treatment plant?
i. what is an aquifer?
j. what is a reservoir?
k. in what ways can runoff be a problem?

Explanation:

To answer these questions, we refer to typical knowledge about the water cycle (from the Gizmo simulation or standard Earth science resources):

1. Parts of the Water Cycle (Cycle Examples, based on Gizmo/standard cycle):

• Cycle 1 (e.g., starting at a lake): Lake → Evaporation → Clouds → Precipitation → Lake (or other starting point, with steps like runoff, infiltration, etc.).
• Cycle 2 (e.g., starting at ice/snow): Ice/Snow → Melting → River → Evaporation → Clouds → Precipitation (as snow) → Ice/Snow.

2. Analyze Questions (Standard Answers):

A. Percentage of Earth’s water in soil: ~0.005% (or 0.004%–0.006%, from water cycle data).
B. Percentage of Earth’s water in ice/snow: ~1.7% (total water, including salt water).
C. Percentage of Earth’s fresh water in ice/snow: ~68.7% (most fresh water is in glaciers/ice caps).
D. Percentage of Earth’s water in lakes: ~0.009% (surface water in lakes).
E. Transpiration: The process where plants release water vapor into the air through their leaves.
F. Worldwide largest water use: Agriculture (irrigation for farming).
G. US largest water use: Thermoelectric power (cooling for power plants) or agriculture (varies by source, but thermoelectric is a top user).
H. Organisms in treatment plants: Bacteria (and other microbes) that decompose waste.
I. Aquifer: A layer of rock or sediment that holds groundwater (water underground).
J. Reservoir: A man - made or natural lake used to store water (for supply, flood control, etc.).
K. Runoff problems: Causes erosion (washing away soil), carries pollutants (fertilizers, chemicals) into water bodies, can lead to flooding, and disrupts natural water cycles.

Final Answers (Key Points):

(For the “Analyze” section, concise answers):
A. ~0.005%
B. ~1.7%
C. ~68.7%
D. ~0.009%
E. Plant water vapor release (via leaves)
F. Agriculture
G. Thermoelectric power (or Agriculture)
H. Bacteria (microbes)
I. Rock/sediment with groundwater
J. Water - storing lake (natural/man - made)
K. Erosion, pollution, flooding

(Note: Cycle 1 and 2 answers depend on Gizmo - specific paths, but the above are standard cycle structures. The percentage answers are from scientific water cycle data.)

Answer:

To answer these questions, we refer to typical knowledge about the water cycle (from the Gizmo simulation or standard Earth science resources):

1. Parts of the Water Cycle (Cycle Examples, based on Gizmo/standard cycle):

• Cycle 1 (e.g., starting at a lake): Lake → Evaporation → Clouds → Precipitation → Lake (or other starting point, with steps like runoff, infiltration, etc.).
• Cycle 2 (e.g., starting at ice/snow): Ice/Snow → Melting → River → Evaporation → Clouds → Precipitation (as snow) → Ice/Snow.

2. Analyze Questions (Standard Answers):

A. Percentage of Earth’s water in soil: ~0.005% (or 0.004%–0.006%, from water cycle data).
B. Percentage of Earth’s water in ice/snow: ~1.7% (total water, including salt water).
C. Percentage of Earth’s fresh water in ice/snow: ~68.7% (most fresh water is in glaciers/ice caps).
D. Percentage of Earth’s water in lakes: ~0.009% (surface water in lakes).
E. Transpiration: The process where plants release water vapor into the air through their leaves.
F. Worldwide largest water use: Agriculture (irrigation for farming).
G. US largest water use: Thermoelectric power (cooling for power plants) or agriculture (varies by source, but thermoelectric is a top user).
H. Organisms in treatment plants: Bacteria (and other microbes) that decompose waste.
I. Aquifer: A layer of rock or sediment that holds groundwater (water underground).
J. Reservoir: A man - made or natural lake used to store water (for supply, flood control, etc.).
K. Runoff problems: Causes erosion (washing away soil), carries pollutants (fertilizers, chemicals) into water bodies, can lead to flooding, and disrupts natural water cycles.

Final Answers (Key Points):

(For the “Analyze” section, concise answers):
A. ~0.005%
B. ~1.7%
C. ~68.7%
D. ~0.009%
E. Plant water vapor release (via leaves)
F. Agriculture
G. Thermoelectric power (or Agriculture)
H. Bacteria (microbes)
I. Rock/sediment with groundwater
J. Water - storing lake (natural/man - made)
K. Erosion, pollution, flooding

(Note: Cycle 1 and 2 answers depend on Gizmo - specific paths, but the above are standard cycle structures. The percentage answers are from scientific water cycle data.)