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Advanced Water Cycle Dynamics (P6 PSLE Challenge)
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Latent Heat of Vaporization
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The significant amount of thermal energy absorbed by water when it changes from a liquid to a gaseous state (water vapour) without a change in temperature, crucial for driving evaporation.
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Terms in this set (15)
Latent Heat of Vaporization
The significant amount of thermal energy absorbed by water when it changes from a liquid to a gaseous state (water vapour) without a change in temperature, crucial for driving evaporation.
Transpiration
The process by which water vapour is released into the atmosphere from the stomata (tiny pores) on the leaves of plants, contributing significantly to atmospheric moisture.
Sublimation
The direct phase transition of water from a solid state (ice or snow) to a gaseous state (water vapour) without first passing through the liquid phase, common in cold, dry, windy conditions.
Infiltration
The process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil and rock below, replenishing groundwater and contributing to subsurface flow.
Runoff
The flow of water over the land surface, typically after heavy rainfall or snowmelt, that does not infiltrate into the ground but rather travels towards rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Condensation Nuclei
Microscopic particles (e.g., dust, pollen, salt crystals, pollutants) suspended in the atmosphere that provide a surface for water vapour to condense upon, forming cloud droplets.
Saturated Air
Air that contains the maximum amount of water vapour it can hold at a specific temperature and pressure, where the rate of evaporation equals the rate of condensation.
Relative Humidity
The ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the amount of water vapour currently in the air compared to the maximum amount of water vapour the air can hold at that specific temperature.
Orographic Precipitation
Precipitation that occurs when moist air is forced to rise over mountain ranges, cools and condenses as it ascends, leading to heavy rainfall on the windward side and a rain shadow on the leeward side.
Advection
The horizontal movement of air masses, including the water vapour they contain, which transports moisture from one geographical location to another, influencing regional weather patterns.
Groundwater
Water that has infiltrated the Earth's surface and is stored in underground aquifers within soil and rock layers, forming a vital part of the water cycle's storage component.
Dew Point
The temperature at which air becomes saturated with water vapour and condensation begins to occur, forming dew, fog, or clouds if the air cools further.
Evapotranspiration
The combined process of water evaporating from the Earth's surface and transpiring from plants, representing the total water loss from the land surface to the atmosphere.
Watershed (or Drainage Basin)
An area of land where all of the water that falls in it or drains off it collects into a common outlet, such as a river, lake, or ocean.
Solar Energy's Role
The primary driving force for the entire water cycle, providing the energy needed for evaporation from water bodies and transpiration from plants, converting liquid water into water vapour.