qualitative Information collected and communicated in words. Observable by using your senses. quantitative Exact information about the quality you observe using numbers rather than words. water cycle Water repeatedly moving from Earth to the air and then back again. evaporation Water is warmed by the sun and moved in to the air as water vapor. condensation Cooled water vapor from the air turns back in to liquid. weight Measure of the pull of gravity on an object. precipitation Water that falls to the surface of Earth. Rain, snow, sleet, and hail. Humidity Amount of water vapor in the air. Runoff/Surface Water Water that is not absorbed back in to the ground. Ground Water Water that is absorbed in to the ground and stored under the Earth’s surface. transpiration Water absorbed by plant roots, then unneeded water evaporates from the leaves’ stomata (pores on the leaf). biotic Living components of the environment. Water (abiotic) is needed by aquatic fish, plants, animals… abiotic Non living elements such as water, dirt, rocks…