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The Hydrologic Cycle

The hydrologic cycle is another name for the water cycle. The Law of Conservation of Matter tells us
that there is a fixed amount of water on and around the Earth. About 70 percent of Earths surface is
covered in water. That may seem a plentiful supply. However, about 97 percent of that water is salt water,

meaning living things cannot use it for survival.

Most of the almost 3 percent of freshwater on Earth is unusable by living things, including humans. Thats
because its locked in ice. Only about 1 percent of water on the planet is usable. Of that usable water,
most is stored underground. The rest is in lakes, rivers, and other water surfaces.

The hydrologic cycle collects, cleans, and redistributes water on the planet. The cycle has several stages,
which are powered by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.

Evaporation: In this stage of the cycle, water changes to water vapor. More than 80 percent of
evaporated water comes from the oceans.

Transpiration: Plant roots absorb water from the soil. This water moves upward, through plants
structures. Plants release water vapor through pores in leaves called stomata.

Condensation: Water vapor changes to liquid water as it cools in the sky.

Precipitation: Water falls as rain, sleet, hail, and snow

Percolation: Water flows downward through the soil and rock to form groundwater. Some groundwater
seeps into surface water or collects in underground bodies of water.

Runoff: Water flows downward toward bodies of water, where the cycle begins again.

1. Which statement is true about the total amount of water on Earth, including in Earths atmosphere?
a. The total amount of water on Earth, including in the atmosphere, varies according to the climate and
season.
b. The total amount of water on Earth, including in Earths atmosphere, is always the same.
c. The total amount of water on Earth, including in Earths atmosphere, is 70 percent of the Earths
surface.
d. The total amount of water on Earth, including in Earths atmosphere, comes from the oceans.

2. Which 2 stages of the hydrologic cycle are directly powered by the sun but not by gravity?
a. evaporation and transpiration
b. condensation and precipitation
c. percolation and runoff

Answers:
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1. B. Reason: In paragraph one it says that the total amount of water on the planet is fixed. This includes
both surface water and water in the atmosphere.
2. A. Reason: Both evaporation and transpiration require heat. None of the others do. In condensation
the temperature of water drops. Precipitation, percolation and runoff are powered by gravity because
in them water goes downward.