(a)
To describe: The possible path the water molecule follows through the hydrological cycle, if the water is pumped from the ground to irrigate a farm field.
(a)
Answer to Problem 1GST
The water used to irrigate a farm field will be taken up by plants and transpired or evaporated to the atmosphere. Later, it runs off along the surface to a nearby stream or is infiltrated back into the ground.
Explanation of Solution
The continuous movement of water that takes place above and below the Earth’s surface is described as a cyclical format known as the hydrologic cycle. It includes various processes such as evapo-transpiration, condensation, precipitation, run-off, infiltration, and percolation.
Evapo-transpiration is a combined process of evaporation and transpiration, which involves the movement of water from waterbodies and land surfaces into the atmosphere. It involves the conversion water from liquid to vapor state. The conversion of water vapor in air into liquid water is termed as condensation. Cloud formation is associate with the condensation processes. The release of water from clouds in the form of rain or snow is termed as precipitation.
The flow of water over the land surface is termed as run-off. Infiltration and percolation are the two processes that are used to define the transmission of water through soil. The former denotes the downward movement of water into the soil or rock surface and the latter denotes the passage of water through soil and porous or fractured rock.
Water that is used for irrigational activities will be either transpired or evaporated into the atmosphere. Otherwise, it runs off along the surface to a nearby stream or is infiltrated into the ground.
(b)
To describe: The possible path that the water molecule follows through the hydrological cycle, if heavy rainfall occurs over a long period.
(b)
Answer to Problem 1GST
A long period of heavy rainfall results in the infiltration and recharge of aquifers and flow underground, to nearby gaining streams. As the ground is saturated, the rainfall flows on the surface as runoff, to nearby streams.
Explanation of Solution
The continuous movement of water that takes place above and below the Earth’s surface is described as a cyclical format known as the hydrologic cycle. It includes various processes such as evapo-transpiration, condensation, precipitation, run-off, infiltration, and percolation.
Evapo-transpiration is a combined process of evaporation and transpiration, which involves the movement of water from waterbodies and land surfaces into the atmosphere. It involves the conversion of its state from liquid to vapor. The conversion of water vapor in air into liquid water is termed as condensation. Cloud formation is associated with the condensation processes. The release of water from clouds in the form of rain or snow is termed as precipitation.
The flow of water over the land surface is termed as run-off. Infiltration and percolation are the two processes that are used to define the transmission of water through soil. The former denotes the downward movement of water into the soil or rock surface and the latter denotes the passage of water through soil and porous or fractured rock.
The water that falls on the ground as a result of a long period of heavy rainfall will initially infiltrate into the ground and recharge the aquifers. Later, it may flow beneath the surface, to nearby gaining streams. As the ground is saturated with water, the rainfall will then flow along the surface of the Earth as run-off and joins adjacent streams.
(c)
To describe: The possible path that the water molecule follows through the hydrological cycle, if the water table in the vicinity of the molecule develops a steep cone of depression (as a result of heavy pumping from a nearby well).
(c)
Answer to Problem 1GST
Heavy pumping from a nearby well results in a very rapid flow of groundwater into the well, through a steep cone of depression.
Explanation of Solution
The continuous movement of water that takes place above and below the Earth’s surface is described as a cyclical format known as the hydrologic cycle. It includes various processes such as evapo-transpiration, condensation, precipitation, run-off, infiltration, and percolation.
Evapo-transpiration is a combined process of evaporation and transpiration which involves the movement of water from waterbodies and land surfaces into the atmosphere. It involves the conversion of its state from liquid to vapor. The conversion of water vapor in air into liquid water is termed as condensation. Cloud formation is associated with the condensation processes. The release of water from clouds in the form of rain or snow is termed as precipitation.
The flow of water over the land surface is termed as runoff. Infiltration and percolation are the two processes that are used to define the transmission of water through soil. The former denotes the downward movement of water into the soil or rock surface and the latter denotes the passage of water through soil and porous or fractured rock.
The conical-shaped depression in the water table formed as a result of the withdrawal of a high amount of water from a nearby well is termed as “cone of depression”. Heavy pumping in an area results in the loss of water in the surrounding area and decline in the water table. It results in the formation of a very wide and steep cone of depression.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 17 Solutions
Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology
- PLEASE HELP ASAP On Figure 3.8, outline the zone of earthquakes. Draw a line in Figure 3.8 at the depth of 100 kilometers to indicate the top of the asthenosphere - the zone of partly melted and weak Earth material. Label the line top of the asthenosphere.arrow_forwardHexagonal system. Indicate the expression that gives the volume of the “larger cell” and the volume of the “smaller cell”.arrow_forwardHexagonal system. Indicate the volume of the “larger cell” and the volume of the “smaller cell”.arrow_forward
- f the same amount of sunlight was hitting an area of land and an area of water, which area would heat more rapidly? The land would heat more rapidly. The water would heat more rapidly. They would both heat at about the same rate It would depend on the characteristics of the water and land.arrow_forwardThe Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain physiographic province has which of the following characteristics? Many fertile swamps and marshes Low, rolling hills Folding, uplift, and faulting Small mountain ranges and flat valleysarrow_forwardSuppose you are visiting the equator. It is noon. The Sun is at its highest point in the sky for the day, which is directly over your head. You call a friend on the phone, and she says it is also noon where she is but the Sun is not directly overhead at that location and time. It is a little lower in the sky for her. Compare the longitude and latitude of your location with the longitude and latitude of your friend's location. Are they alike or different? How do you know?arrow_forward
- Provide examples to illustrate the effects of glacier and ice sheet melting on climate globally and regionally. Use words to illustrate any feedback mechanisms between melting ice sheets and the climate.arrow_forwardUse diagrams and word explanations to show how excess heat from the tropics is transferred to higher latitudes (discuss cells and ciruclations) . Additionally, show how the broadening of the Hadley Cell, caused by rising greenhouse gases, could affect surface climate in subtropical and mid-latitude regions.arrow_forwardExplain why the Earth is in not in radiative equilibriumarrow_forward
- Applications and Investigations in Earth Science ...Earth ScienceISBN:9780134746241Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. TasaPublisher:PEARSONExercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)Earth ScienceISBN:9780134041360Author:Greg CarbonePublisher:PEARSONEnvironmental ScienceEarth ScienceISBN:9781260153125Author:William P Cunningham Prof., Mary Ann Cunningham ProfessorPublisher:McGraw-Hill Education
- Earth Science (15th Edition)Earth ScienceISBN:9780134543536Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. TasaPublisher:PEARSONEnvironmental Science (MindTap Course List)Earth ScienceISBN:9781337569613Author:G. Tyler Miller, Scott SpoolmanPublisher:Cengage LearningPhysical GeologyEarth ScienceISBN:9781259916823Author:Plummer, Charles C., CARLSON, Diane H., Hammersley, LisaPublisher:Mcgraw-hill Education,