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The Water Cycle 02
The vast majority of the earth's precipitation falls into the sea.

The Water Cycle 02

Explore how the water cycle moves water and energy around our planet, shaping clouds, rainfall and climates from tropical rainforests to frozen polar regions.

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Fascinating Fact:

The water cycle helps to regulate climate, because evaporation and condensation move heat energy around the atmosphere as well as water.

In KS3 Geography, you learn how the water cycle links the oceans, land and atmosphere. Geographers study this system to understand rainfall patterns, storms, droughts and how different climates are created across the world.

  • Water cycle: The continuous movement of water between the sea, land and atmosphere through processes such as evaporation, condensation and precipitation.
  • Condensation: The process where water vapour cools and changes back into tiny liquid droplets, forming clouds in the atmosphere.
  • Runoff: Water that flows over the land surface into rivers, lakes and eventually the sea after rainfall or snowmelt.
What is the water cycle in KS3 Geography?

The water cycle is the system where water evaporates from the surface, condenses to form clouds, falls as precipitation and then collects in rivers, lakes, groundwater and the oceans.

How does the water cycle affect weather?

The water cycle affects weather by controlling how much moisture is in the air. It influences cloud formation, the type and amount of precipitation and where storms and dry spells occur.

Why do geographers study the water cycle at KS3?

Geographers study the water cycle to understand flooding, drought, water supply and how different regions experience varied rainfall patterns, which all affect people and natural environments.

1 .
Which of these would not interrupt the water cycle?
Boreholes
Dams
Desalination plants
Forests
Water is pumped up through boreholes and desalination plants remove salt from seawater
2 .
A wind picks up most moisture when it blows over what?
A large city
A small lake
Mountains
The sea
There is a large surface area from which water is constantly evaporating
3 .
What process causes clouds to form?
Accumulation
Compensation
Condensation
Stratification
Condensation is the term that is used to describe a change of state from vapour to liquid
4 .
80% of the earth's precipitation falls directly where?
Into drains and sewers
Into lakes
Into the sea
Onto our gardens
That is where most of the water vapour in the atmosphere comes from in the first place
5 .
A hot summer day may lead to what type of rain?
Convection
Depression
Frontal
Relief
The hot air rises as a convection current. As it does, it cools. The water vapour it contains condenses and can fall as rain
6 .
When vegetation stops rain reaching the ground it is called what?
Interception
Interface
Interflow
Interlocution
The water can then evaporate from the leaves and go back into the atmosphere. This is one reason that rainforests have a high humidity
7 .
What cannot be described as precipitation?
A tornado
Dew
Sleet
Snow
A tornado is a rapidly moving spiral of air
8 .
What reduces the amount of surface water runoff?
Gentle slopes
Impermeable rocks
Little vegetation cover
Steep slopes
The gentler the slope the longer the water has to soak in rather than move over the surface
9 .
Surface water heated by the sun leads to what?
A rainbow
A spring
Evaporation
Runoff
Liquids including water evaporate faster when they are warmer
10 .
What change takes place during condensation?
Gas to liquid
Gas to solid
Liquid to gas
Solid to liquid
Water vapour (gas) changes to water droplets
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - The water cycle and river terminology

Author:  Jan Crompton (KS3 Geography & History Teacher, Professional Quiz Writer)

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