APES Vocab Unit 5

59 cards   |   Total Attempts: 189
  

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Hydrologic Cycle
The natural sequence through which water passes into the atmosphere as water vapor, precipitates to earth in liquid or solid form, and ultimately returns to the atmosphere through evaporation.
Evaporation
To lose or cause to lose liquid by vaporization, leaving a more concentrated residue
Condensation
A type of reaction in which two organic molecules combine to form a larger molecule as well as a simple molecule such as water, methanol, etc
Precipitation
Rain, snow, sleet, dew, etc, formed by condensation of water vapour in the atmosphere
Transpiration
The passage of water through a plant from the roots through the vascular system to the atmosphere
pH
The symbol for the logarithm of the reciprocal of hydrogen ion concentration in gram atoms per liter, used to express the acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a scale of 0 to 14, where less than 7 represents acidity, 7 neutrality, and more than 7 alkalinity.
Surface runoff
The water flow that occurs when the soil is infiltrated to full capacity and excess water from rain, meltwater, or other sources flows over the land
Watershed
The dividing line between two adjacent river systems, such as a ridge
Groundwater
The water beneath the surface of the ground, consisting largely of surface water that has seeped down: the source of water in springs and wells.
Zone of saturation
The ground below the water table
Natural recharge
The filling of groundwater aquifers by rain and melting snow percolating into the ground and saturating the pores between rock and soil particles.
Water table
The planar, underground surface beneath which earth materials, as soil or rock, are saturated with water
Aquifers
Any geological formation containing or conducting ground water, especially one that supplies the water for wells, springs, etc.
Recharge area
A land area in which water reaches the zone of saturation from surface infiltration, e.g., where rainwater soaks through the earth to reach an aquifer
Consumptive use
The use of a resource that reduces the supply (removing water from a source like a river, lake or aquifer without returning an equal amount).