73.3k views
5 votes
How does water change the shape of earth’s surface?

User Mmcorrelo
by
5.7k points

2 Answers

4 votes

Final answer:

The water cycle, powered by the sun, is responsible for shaping the Earth's surface through processes like evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, which leads to erosion and influences weather patterns.

Step-by-step explanation:

Water fundamentally shapes the Earth's surface through a process known as the water cycle, driven primarily by the energy from the sun. This cycle sees evaporation of water from Earth's surfaces into water vapor, which later condenses to form clouds and results in precipitation (like rain or snow), altering land formations and supporting various ecosystems. Particularly, surface runoff plays a critical role as it can cause erosion, transport sediments, and restructure the landscape over time. Additionally, water's unique property of being less dense in its solid form than in liquid allows ice to float, which is crucial in regulating climate and affecting aquatic life. Lastly, the high specific heat capacity of water influences weather patterns and storm intensity.

User Vinay Raghu
by
6.3k points
7 votes
Water moving across the earth in streams and rivers pushes along soil and breaks down pieces of rock in a process called erosion. ... Water moving in ocean waves carries sand, shells and debris away from some coastal areas and deposits them in new areas, changing the shape of the coastline.
User Anekix
by
6.5k points