Question

The hydrologic cycle is driven primarily by solar energy and ________?

1) wind
2) gravity
3) tides
4) volcanic activity

Answer 1

The hydrologic cycle is driven by solar energy and gravity. Solar energy causes water to evaporate, and gravity enables precipitation to fall and water to flow on Earth's surface.

Step-by-step explanation:

The hydrologic cycle is driven primarily by solar energy and gravity. Solar energy is responsible for the evaporation and sublimation of water, which moves large amounts of water vapor into the atmosphere. Once in the atmosphere, this water vapor condenses into clouds and falls back to Earth as precipitation. It is gravity that causes this precipitation to return to the Earth, and it also drives the flow of water on the Earth's surface and its filtration through the soil, replenishing rivers, lakes, and oceans.