AnswersEarth and Space ScienceThe Water Cycle

The Water Cycle — Quiz Answers

10 verified answers
1
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Which statement best explains why Region N has consistently higher drought stress than Region M?

A
Region N received less precipitation than Region M over the three years.
B
Earlier snowmelt in Region N leads to less water stored for late summer.
C
Region N has more vegetation, so more water is lost to transpiration.
D
Later snowmelt in Region N leads to reduced summer streamflow.
2
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Assume that Region M receives 650 millimeters of precipitation during Year 4. What are the best predictions for late-summer streamflow and drought stress?

A
streamflow = 21 the fraction with numerator m cubed and denominator s drought stress = 5
B
streamflow = 23 the fraction with numerator m cubed and denominator s drought stress = 3
C
streamflow = 24 the fraction with numerator m cubed and denominator s drought stress = 4
D
streamflow = 18 the fraction with numerator m cubed and denominator s drought stress = 7
3

Determine whether each scenario would likely lead to greater ecosystem stability or less ecosystem stability.

Answer not available
4

What trend in Region N most threatens ecosystem stability?

A
Higher streamflow in summer decreases the risk of ecosystem drought stress.
B
Earlier snowmelt reduces late-summer water supply needed by ecosystems.
C
Stable precipitation totals keep water availability constant across seasons.
D
Later snowmelt increases the amount of groundwater recharged in spring.
5

Match each process with its relationship to energy.

Answer:

moves via gravitational energy|absorbs thermal energy from the environment|releases thermal energy to the environment

6

Arrange the steps to describe how water molecules in the ocean travel through the water cycle. Place the first step at the top of the list.

Answer not available
7

Match each process with the trend it would cause if the process increased.

Answer:

wetter soils and higher groundwater levels|greater discharge into rivers and oceans|higher humidity levels in the atmosphere

8

Assume that process C increases due to warmer ocean temperatures. What is the most likely effect on process A?

A
It will decrease because more water stays in the ocean.
B
It will decrease because runoff speeds up the cycle.
C
It will remain the same because the two processes are unrelated.
D
It will increase because more water vapor condenses into clouds.
9

What trend explains why Coastal X has the highest water availability?

A
Higher rates of condensation prevent water from moving into the atmosphere and producing rainfall.
B
Greater evaporation allows more water vapor to enter the atmosphere and fall as precipitation.
C
Reduced condensation energy limits the release of heat that supports storm development.
D
Decreased solar input lowers the amount of energy available to power evaporation and rainfall.
10

Assume that climate warming increases evaporation energy in Inland Y but surface water remains scarce in the region. What will be the most likely effect on precipitation?

A
Precipitation will remain unchanged because precipitation is unrelated to energy transformations.
B
Precipitation will decrease because less energy is available for condensation to occur.
C
Precipitation will increase because more water vapor is stored in the atmosphere.
D
Precipitation will remain limited because there is insufficient moisture to condense into rain.

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