Question

Match the stages of the water cycle with the correct places in the model. The illustration shows stages of the water cycle with counterclockwise arrows labeled a (water), b (trees), c (dense rain cloud), d (rainfall), e (water seepage into land), f (rain water under soil). Which stage of the water cycle is represented by precipitation?

1) Evaporation
2) Condensation
3) Precipitation
4) Infiltration
5) Transpiration
6) Groundwater

Answer 1

The stage of the water cycle represented by precipitation, where water falls back to Earth from clouds in various forms like rain or snow, is most likely identified as 'd (rainfall)' in the given model.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the water cycle, the stage of precipitation is represented by the process in which condensed water in clouds falls to Earth's surface. This could be in the form of rain, snow, hail, or sleet. In the model provided, precipitation is likely represented by the label 'd (rainfall)'. It is the stage where water that has evaporated, then condensed into clouds, falls back down to the Earth's surface.

After precipitation, the water can engage in various parts of the cycle such as infiltrating the soil to become groundwater, or running off into bodies of water to eventually evaporate once again. This dynamic process is driven by solar energy and gravity, essential factors that enable the continuous movement of water through the cycle.