Question

1. a) Explain the possible pathways a water molecule can take as it makes its way through the

water cycle. Use the following terms in your explanation: precipitation, evaporation, runoff,
transpiration, condensation, percolation, and precipitation.
Start with the molecule falling as precipitation. (4 points)

Answer 1

Precipitation:

At the right atmospheric conditions of pressure and temperature the small droplets of water forms the large droplets in the cloud and falls down to earth, this phenomenon or process known as precipitation.

Runoff:

As the water falls due to precipitation termed as rainfall which usually streams down the earth to various water bodies such as lakes, rivers and oceans. This is known as runoff.

Infiltration:

the movement or going back under the surface of the earth or ground is known as infiltration and it is necessary to maintain ground level of water.

Transpiration:

The roots of the plants absorbs the water that went through the soil which move to various part of the plant body from their it evaporates and move to the atmosphere. It is known as transpiration.

Evaporation:

This process takes place when water converts from the liquid state to the gaseous state.

Condensation:

Condensation is takes place when conversion of gaseous state into the liquid state.

Precipitation again and cycle keep moving.