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Understanding the Water Cycle Explained

The water cycle describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the Earth's surface through different phases and reservoirs, driven by physical processes like evaporation and condensation. While the total mass of water stays fairly constant, the distribution between ice, freshwater, and saltwater reservoirs varies with climate. The water cycle involves exchanging heat with its surroundings and influences climate through warming and cooling. It also purifies water, transports minerals globally, reshapes geology, and is essential to life through providing freshwater and maintaining ecosystems.

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54 views1 page

Understanding the Water Cycle Explained

The water cycle describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the Earth's surface through different phases and reservoirs, driven by physical processes like evaporation and condensation. While the total mass of water stays fairly constant, the distribution between ice, freshwater, and saltwater reservoirs varies with climate. The water cycle involves exchanging heat with its surroundings and influences climate through warming and cooling. It also purifies water, transports minerals globally, reshapes geology, and is essential to life through providing freshwater and maintaining ecosystems.

Uploaded by

Pravat Satpathy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle or the H2O cycle, describes the

continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth. The mass
of water on Earth remains fairly constant over time but the partitioning of the water into
the major reservoirs of ice, fresh water, saline water and atmospheric water is variable
depending on a wide range of climatic variables. The water moves from one reservoir to
another, such as from river to ocean, or from the ocean to the atmosphere, by the
physical processes ofevaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, runoff, and
subsurface flow. In doing so, the water goes through different phases: liquid, solid (ice),
and gas (vapor).

The water cycle involves the exchange of energy, which leads to temperature changes.
For instance, when water evaporates, it takes up energy from its surroundings and
cools the environment. When it condenses, it releases energy and warms the
environment. These heat exchanges influence climate.

The evaporative phase of the cycle purifies water which then replenishes the land with
freshwater. The flow of liquid water and ice transports minerals across the globe. It is
also involved in reshaping the geological features of the Earth, through processes
including erosion and sedimentation. The water cycle is also essential for the
maintenance of most life and ecosystems on the planet.

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