Chapter 10: Problem 6

Define precipitation, infiltration, runoff, capillary water, transpiration, evapotranspiration, percolation, gravitational water, groundwater, water table, aquifer, recharge area, seep, and spring.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Each term relates to the water cycle and the storage and movement of water within Earth's environments. For example, precipitation is atmospheric water that falls to Earth, while groundwater is water held underground. Evapotranspiration is the total evaporation and plant respiration from the Earth. Aquifers are bodies of rock that contain groundwater, while a seep is where the water reaches Earth's surface from an aquifer.

Step by step solution

Define Precipitation

Precipitation refers to any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapour that falls under gravity, such as rain, snow, sleet and hail.

Define Infiltration

Infiltration is the process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil.

Define Runoff

Runoff is the flow of water that occurs when excess stormwater, meltwater, or other sources flow over the Earth's surface.

Define Capillary Water

Capillary water is the water retained in the soil, in the pores and spaces due to the adhesive and cohesive forces.

Define Transpiration

Transpiration is the process where plants absorb water through the roots and then give off water vapor through pores in their leaves.

Define Evapotranspiration

Evapotranspiration is the sum of evaporation and plant transpiration from the Earth's land and ocean surface to the atmosphere.

Define Percolation

Percolation is the movement and filtering of fluids through porous materials in the soil.

Define Gravitational Water

Gravitational water is water that trickles down due to gravity and fills in cracks, pores and follows the path of least resistance.

Define Groundwater

Groundwater is water held underground in the soil or in pores and crevices in rock.

Define Water Table

The water table is the upper surface of the zone of saturation of water in the ground.

Define Aquifer

An aquifer is a body of permeable rock which can contain or transmit groundwater.

Define Recharge Area

A recharge area is a region where water infiltrates down to an aquifer.

Define Seep

A seep is a wet place where water, usually groundwater, reaches the earth's surface from an underground aquifer.

Define Spring

A Spring is where water flows naturally from the earth surface due to pressure in a subterranean aquifer.

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Define precipitation, infiltration, runoff, capillary water, transpiration, evapotranspiration, percolation, gravitational water, groundwater, water table, aquifer, recharge area, seep, and spring.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Define Precipitation

Define Infiltration

Define Runoff

Define Capillary Water

Define Transpiration

Define Evapotranspiration

Define Percolation

Define Gravitational Water

Define Groundwater

Define Water Table

Define Aquifer

Define Recharge Area

Define Seep

Define Spring

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