Study Guide Answer Key
Water Cycle
humidity
convection current
transpiration
condensation
precipitation
evaporation
ocean current
water vapor
dew point
1. A moving stream of water in the ocean is a(n) ocean current.
2. A liquid changes to a gas state during the process of
evaporation.
3. A continuous loop of moving air or liquid that transfers energy
is a(n) convection current.
4. Water in the form of gas is called water vapor.
5. The temperature at which air becomes saturated is its dew point.
6. The amount of water vapor in the air at any given time and place
is the humidity.
7. Any form of water that falls to Earth’s surface from clouds is
called precipitation.
8. The change of state from a gas to liquid is called condensation.
9. In the process of transpiration, the leaves of plants release water
vapor into the air.
10. Why are the oceans important to the water cycle?
Oceans are important to the water cycle because most of Earth’s
surface is ocean water, and the oceans provide most of the water
vapor. The water cycle is the process which water leaves the
Earth’s surface, enters the atmosphere, and is returned to the
surface.
11. What do evaporation and transpiration have in common?
Evaporation and transpiration both are processes that release
water vapor into the atmosphere. They both are part of the water
cycle.
12. What kind of weather is generally associated with cumulus
clouds?
The kind of weather that is generally associated with cumulus
clouds is fair weather.
13. On a sunny day, why is the sand on the beach warmer than the
water right next to it?
On a sunny day, sand on the beach is warmer than the water
right next to it because sand and water have different specific
heat capacities; water heats up more slowly than does sand.
14. Be able to name and locate on a chart the three main parts of
the water cycle. (Like the poster in class).