Hydrological systems
Stage 6 content:
Processes, cycles and circulations connecting natural systems
- the processes, cycles and circulations connecting natural systems
- hydrological systems, e.g. precipitation patterns and cycles, weather systems, atmosphere-ocean circulations
Processes, cycles and circulations connecting natural systems
- the processes, cycles and circulations connecting natural systems
- hydrological systems, e.g. precipitation patterns and cycles, weather systems, atmosphere-ocean circulations
Precipitation: when water droplets or ice crystals become too heavy to be suspended in the air they fall to earth as rain, snow, sleet or hail.
Infiltration: water that reaches the earth’s surface and is able to be absorbed into the ground, flows downward and collects above an impermeable layer or rock.
Runoff: water that reaches the earth’s surface and is unable to be absorbed into the ground, flows over its surface and collects in nearby waterways or reaches stormwater drains.
Evaporation: when water contained in water bodies is heated by the Sun and the liquid changes into a gaseous state and rises into the atmosphere.
Transpiration: when water contained in plants is heated and changes from a liquid into a gaseous state and rises into the atmosphere.
Condensation: when water in the atmosphere cools and changes from a gaseous state into a liquid state. This occurs when the water vapour clusters around a solid particle (such as dust).
Infiltration: water that reaches the earth’s surface and is able to be absorbed into the ground, flows downward and collects above an impermeable layer or rock.
Runoff: water that reaches the earth’s surface and is unable to be absorbed into the ground, flows over its surface and collects in nearby waterways or reaches stormwater drains.
Evaporation: when water contained in water bodies is heated by the Sun and the liquid changes into a gaseous state and rises into the atmosphere.
Transpiration: when water contained in plants is heated and changes from a liquid into a gaseous state and rises into the atmosphere.
Condensation: when water in the atmosphere cools and changes from a gaseous state into a liquid state. This occurs when the water vapour clusters around a solid particle (such as dust).
Orographic rainfall
Orographic rainfall occurs when a topographic barrier like a mountain blocks the path of a movement of air horizontally. The air mass is forced to move upward. As the air cools rainfall is more likely. Rainfall is more likely to occur on the slope of the mountain that is forcing the air to move upwards. This wetter side is called the windward side of the slope. In the Southern Hemisphere the windward slope usually faces south.
When the air reaches the top of the slope it usually starts to descend down the other side of the mountain. Rain is unlikely on this side of the mountain. This dry side of the slope is called the leeward side of the slope and usually faces north. Occasionally the air will continue to rise when it reaches the top of the mountain and rain continues. This is not common. The term rain shadow is used to describe the drying influence affecting the leeward slope and the area beyond.
Orographic rainfall occurs when a topographic barrier like a mountain blocks the path of a movement of air horizontally. The air mass is forced to move upward. As the air cools rainfall is more likely. Rainfall is more likely to occur on the slope of the mountain that is forcing the air to move upwards. This wetter side is called the windward side of the slope. In the Southern Hemisphere the windward slope usually faces south.
When the air reaches the top of the slope it usually starts to descend down the other side of the mountain. Rain is unlikely on this side of the mountain. This dry side of the slope is called the leeward side of the slope and usually faces north. Occasionally the air will continue to rise when it reaches the top of the mountain and rain continues. This is not common. The term rain shadow is used to describe the drying influence affecting the leeward slope and the area beyond.
Question: Explain the functioning of the water cycle, and describe how humans can impact on each part of the cycle.
Hints and tips:
Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence. This is a general statement which provides an overview of the paragraph.
Each part of the water cycle should make up a new paragraph.
Each paragraph should provide an explanation of the part of the water cycle (e.g. infiltration) and a human impact on that particular part of the water cycle.
Referencing:
Be sure to include references to any work that you have used. For hints on referencing examine the Harvard referencing system.
Hints and tips:
Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence. This is a general statement which provides an overview of the paragraph.
Each part of the water cycle should make up a new paragraph.
Each paragraph should provide an explanation of the part of the water cycle (e.g. infiltration) and a human impact on that particular part of the water cycle.
Referencing:
Be sure to include references to any work that you have used. For hints on referencing examine the Harvard referencing system.
| water_cycle.doc |
