Chapter 4, Problem 1RQ

To determine

The main components of the hydrologic cycle using sketch.

Answer to Problem 1RQ

Hydrologic cycle represents the continuous movement of water through the oceans, the atmosphere, and the continents. It involves various processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, runoff, transpiration, or evapotranspiration. The continuous movement of water that occurs through the hydrologic cycle has a key role in the distribution of moisture over the surface of the Earth and is intricately related to all occurrences on the atmosphere.

Explanation of Solution

The continuous movement of water through the oceans, the atmosphere, and the continents is referred as the hydrologic cycle. The evaporation of water present in the oceans and to a lesser extent from land areas occurs into the atmosphere. This moisture-laden air is transported by the wind often over large distances until condensation of tiny liquid cloud droplets during the process of formation of clouds.

The process of formation of clouds leads to precipitation. When the precipitation falls into the ocean, its cycle ended and another cycle is initiated, whereas a portion of the remaining precipitation falls over the land that penetrates into the ground through the process of infiltration and thereby groundwater is formed. The remaining amount of water that flows along the surface of the Earth is referred as runoff.

The process of evaporation finally returns much of the groundwater and runoff to the atmosphere. A less quantity of groundwater taken up by plants releases into the atmosphere through the process known as transpiration or evapotranspiration.