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6th Grade PSI

Earth's SystemsThe Roles of Water in Earth's Surface

Processes

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Table of Contents: The Roles of Water in Earth's Surface Processes

· The Water Cycle

· Forces of the Water Cycle

· States of Matter in the Water Cycle

Click on the topic to go to that section

· Global Pattern of Interconnected Ocean Currents

· Erosion and Weathering

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The Water Cycle

Return to Tableof Contents

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Wonderful WaterWater is a part of our daily lives and all around us.

But have you ever wondered where does water come from?

At your table, come up with an idea of where water comes from.

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The water on Earth is continuously moving through what is known as the water cycle. The water cycle details the movement of water throughout Earth and its journey between liquid, gas and solid states.

The water cycle is a never ending cycle that has been going on for millions of years.

The Water Cycle

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What Powers the Water Cycle?

Where does the water cycle get its energy from?

The answer should not surprise you - it is also where every organism on Earth gets their energy.

The answer is probably above you right now.

Discuss what you think the answer is with your partner.

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What Powers the Water Cycle?The energy from the sun powers the water cycle. The sun heats water and turns it into water vapor, starting the cycle.

As the water condenses, it falls back to earth and returns to water stores where it is again heated by the sun, thus again starting the cycle over.

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The Water Cycle StepsThe water cycle is composed of multiple steps during which water can be found in all three states of matter. Let's break down the water cycle and look at the steps...

· Evaporation · Infiltration

· Condensation · Percolation

· Precipitation · Transpiration

· Interception · Runoff

· Storage

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The main force behind the water cycle is the sun.

The sun heats up water stored on Earth, which evaporates and rises in the atmosphere. Water vapor, although not visible, surrounds us all the time.

This is considered the starting point of the water cycle.

Evaporation

What are some examples of water stores on Earth?

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Evaporation is the process of transforming from a liquid to a gas. The sun heats the liquid water and turns it into water vapor.

Evapotranspiration

Another type of evaporation that contributes water vapor to the cycle is evapotranspiration, which is the loss of water from the soil through both evaporation and transpiration from plants.

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As the evaporated water vapor rises it mixes with air currents and is taken higher into the atmosphere. As the warm water vapor cools it condenses.

What is condensation?

What happens to the glass if you have a cold drink on a hot day?

Condensation

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Condensation is the opposite of evaporation and is the process by which a vapor becomes a liquid. As water condenses, millions of tiny droplets of water join to create clouds.

Condensation

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As the clouds move through the atmosphere they increase in size as they collect more water vapor. Eventually, clouds reach a point

where they are unable to hold any more water vapor and they release it in the form of precipitation.

Precipitation

Precipitation is water falling from the atmosphere to Earth.

What forms of precipitation can you think of?

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As precipitation falls some of it may become interrupted on its journey through the water cycle by plants or puddles.

Interception

This interruption of the water cycle creates a smaller subcycle. The

precipitation that is intercepted is evaporated back into the atmosphere

before it completes the cycle.

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The majority of precipitation reaches the surface of Earth where it starts the process of infiltration.

courtesy of dnr.wi.gov

Infiltration

Infiltration is the movement of water through Earth's surface. As the water soaks into the ground it moves between the soil and rocks. Plants soak up some of the water but the majority of the water reaches a level that is filled with water, called ground water.

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Water also percolates or moves downward through openings in the soil to replenish aquifers under the ground.

Percolation describes the action of water as it moves through spaces in the soil and rock.

Percolation

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Inside a coffee maker is a filter which the ground up coffee beans go into before the hot water is added.

Explain at your table how this type of percolation works and is similar to the one which happens on Earth.

Percolation

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Run OffPrecipitation that travels over the landscape is run off. Precipitation falls on the land, flows overland (runoff), and runs into streams, rivers, and lakes.

Run off from snowmelt is also a major component to the water cycle. Snow fields act as water stores during cooler seasons and release their water in the form of run off during warmer months.

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Water is stored not only in visible sources such as rivers and lakes, but also in groundwater or ice caps.

StorageWater is constantly moving through the water cycle but the majority of it is in storage.

Some water in storage is quickly returned to the cycle while some may be locked up for a while.

Name some major bodies of water near you which store water.

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Click on the video link below to review the water cycle. Listen for the terms and concepts we learned about.

Review the Water Cycle

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1 What is the water cycle?

A A continuous, endless and natural cycle of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

B The path water flows from the clouds to the sea.C How water is processed for human

consumption.D The interactions between water and the Sun.

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2 The ______ provides the energy for the water cycle.

A Gravity

B AtmosphereC WindD Sun

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3 Which of the following are forms of precipitation? (Choose all that apply.)

A Vapor

B RainC PondD Hail

E Sleet

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4 Evaporation is:

A the process by which a vapor becomes a liquid

B the conversion of a liquid into a vapor

C the process of precipitation entering the ground.

D water falling in a liquid or solid state from the atmosphere.

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5 Condensation is:

A the process by which a vapor becomes a liquid

B the conversion of a liquid into a vapor

C the process of precipitation entering the ground.

D water falling in a liquid or solid state from the atmosphere.

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6 Melting snow is an example of ____________.

A percolationB storageC interceptionD run off

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Skills CheckNow that you have learned about the steps of the water cycle, put your knowledge to the test. Click on the image below to get started.

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Fill in the chart with examples of where you observe the water cycle in your daily life.

`

Evaporation Condensation

Precipitation Run Off

Ans

wer

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States of Matter in the Water Cycle

Return to Tableof Contents

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States of Matter in the Water CycleAs water is recycled through the water cycle it passes through all three states of matter. These slides will introduce you to the terms associated with this cycle as the water changes its form, or its state of matter.

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Evaporation

As water is heated it changes states of matter from a liquid to a gas.

Liquid Gas

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As water is condensed in the clouds it eventually falls back to earth. If the precipitation is in the form of sleet, snow or hail it is an example of liquid water turning into a solid by freezing.

Complete the diagram below.

Precipitation-

(hail)Liquid

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Another source of evaporation is through transpiration. During transpiration water from the leaves, stems or flowers of plants is converted from water into water vapor.

Complete the diagram below.

Transpiration

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As liquid water cools during the water cycle it changes state from liquid to solid. Glaciers are an example of a frozen water store.

Complete the diagram with the correct change of state.

Freezing

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Melting

What happens when water melts?

Fill in the correct states below.

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7 Which of the following are examples of a liquid changing into a gas in the water cycle? (Choose all that apply.)A The evaporation of rain off a side walk.

B The freezing of snow to form a glacier.

C The transpiration of water from a plant.

D The condensing of water vapor to form clouds.

.

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8 _____________ is the change in the state of matter from gas to liquid.

A Freezing

B TranspiriationC CondensationD Evaporation

.

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9 Which of the following is/are not an example of precipitation? (Choose all that apply.)

A Vapor

B RainC PondD Hail

E Snow

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10 The conversion of a frozen glacier into runoff water is an example of ________________.

A Infiltration

B Melting

C Precipitation

D Condensation

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Changing Water ActivityHow does water transform from one state to another?

Find out in this activity!

Source: pmm.nasa.gov

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Forces of the Water Cycle

Return to Tableof Contents

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While the Sun is the primary driving force behind the water cycle, other forces impact the cycle too. These forces are gravity, the atmosphere, and land masses.

These forces that influence the water cycle are constantly affecting the cycle in ways we cannot see.

Forces of the Water Cycle

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Gravity's Impact on the Water CycleAs water is evaporated by the sun and lifted into the atmosphere, gravity pulls the water back to Earth in the form of precipitation.

Gravity also causes the runoff to flow through rivers and streams back to the ocean. Along its way gravity pulls against the water, eroding Earth, cutting canyons and transporting sediments.

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11 Which of the following is not a result of gravity's impact on the water cycle?

A Runoff traveling down a mountain stream

B Precipitation falling back to the Earth's surface

C Cooler ocean temperatures at the poles

D Water erroding the wall of a canyon

.

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Look at the map and notice that the areas around the equator receive the highest levels of solar energy. What causes the polar regions to be cooler than the equator?

While solar energy influences all surface processes, its impact is not consistent because Earth is not a perfect sphere. The amount of sunlight and its influence depends on the angle of the earth in relation to the sun.

Solar Energy

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Convection CurrentsThe uneven global heat distribution causes convection currents that attempt to equalize the heat distribution around Earth. The heated air at the equator rises up, and spreads north and south towards the poles.

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As water gradually cools it sinks down in the polar regions, and then flows across Earth's surface to the equator. There it heats up again and the convection current cycle is repeated.

Convection Currents

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The air currents are pushed to the right, in the direction of rotation. The air exchange between equator and poles is classified into three circulation belts; Westerlies, Northeasterly Trades and Southeasterly Trades.

Coriolis EffectSince Earth is constantly rotating, the rotation effects the currents. The Coriolis Effect makes the northward flowing currents veer off course.

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Coriolis Effect ImpactAir currents from the equator bring with them lots of moisture and thus there are a large quantity of clouds.

These clouds lead to a lot of rainfall and the wet tropical environments found around the equator. As the currents travel to between 20 and 35 degrees latitude, they encounter warm and dry air masses.

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In these drier regions, what type of environment do you predict will be there?

Once the currents reach the poles they again form cloud formations and thus precipitation.

Coriolis Effect Impact

[This object is a pull tab]

Mor

e

Here is a demonstration to help demonstrate this concept.

Coriolis Activity

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Moving Air = Moving WaterThe movement of global air current is also the movement of water

through the atmosphere and water cycle. Compared to atmospheric gases, water has a much higher heat capacity. As

water is constantly traveling through the water cycle it is releasing its absorbed heat.

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Moving Air = Moving WaterThe heat from the Sun that causes water to evaporate is put into the air when the water condenses into clouds and precipitates. The continuous evaporation and condensation cycle is a main way heat is transferred from Earth's surface to the atmosphere and in moving heat around Earth.

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Moving Air = Moving Water

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12 Which of the following is not a driving force behind the water cycle?

A Gravity

B The Sun

C Land masses

D Ocean currents

E The atmosphere

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13 Which of the locations on the map would receive the highest amount of solar energy?

.

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14 The Coriolis Effect is _______________________.

A the force behind the global conveyor belt

B what happens when water vapor condenses and give off heat.

C the movement of ocean currents.

D the impact of Earth's rotation on air currents..

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15 Where would you expect to find more precipitation?

A EquatorB North PoleC Prime MeridianD South Pole

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Global Pattern of Interconnected Ocean Currents

Return to Tableof Contents

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Ocean TemperaturesWhen compared to the land masses on Earth, the oceans store much more heat. Since the majority of the thermal energy on Earth is stored in the oceans, they are important in the regulation of Earth’s climate.

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Ocean TemperaturesThe warmer water near the equator tends to move towards the cooler poles, similar to the air currents. Wind blowing over the warm ocean water helps move the surface water.

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Ocean CurrentsThe ocean currents are influenced by the water temperatures and the position of landmasses. Areas of the ocean such as the Pacific where there are few land masses, mostly follow the air currents.

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Ocean CurrentsHowever, in areas of the ocean where there are more land masses, such as the Indian Ocean, the currents are impacted by the land masses and thus more complex.

The rotation of the Earth also impacts the ocean current, notice which way the currents in the Northern and Southern hemispheres are predominately rotating.

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Oceanic Circulation SystemGenerally, the warm equatorial surface waters move towards the poles where they cool and return back towards the equator along the sea floor. The pattern of surface circulation is called a gyre. A complete run through this current system is estimated to take about 1000 years.

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Oceanic Circulation SystemThe map shows the oceanic circulation (gyre) system. These gyres are set in motion by wind and gravity and are steered by the placement of continents and rotation of Earth.

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TidesTides are the periodic rise and falling of large bodies of water. They are formed by the attraction between Earth and the moon.

Acting like magnets the moon tries to pull anything on Earth closer. Since the water on Earth is always moving the moon is able to pull at it.

How many tides per day of each type are there?

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Global Conveyor BeltDeep ocean currents are fueled by differences in the temperature and salinity of the waters, in what is known as the global conveyor belt. How do the differences in temperature create a current?

Click on the image below to view a video explaining the process

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Global Conveyor BeltAs water enters the poles and becomes cooler, sea ice is formed. As the water freezes the salt is left behind. As the sea water gets colder and saltier its density increases and it starts to sink towards the bottom.

Surface water is pulled in to replace the sinking water and it turn eventually becomes cold and salty enough to sink. Thus a current is formed.

The denser water travels down past the equator towards Antarctica where fresh streams of cold water sink-in, recharging the current.

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16 Ocean currents are influenced by (Choose all that apply.)

A Water Temperatures

B Evaporation

C Landmasses

D Salinity

.

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17 Warmer water temperatures are found near the:

A Equator

B North Pole

C Prime Meridian

D South Pole

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18 The global conveyor belt is fueled by what two factors?

A Gravity and the sun

B Temperature and Salinity

C Tides and the moon phase

D Wind currents and time of day

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It's All Connected:

Global Circulation Activity

Use this simulation to trace pathways of wind and water from one part of the Earth to another.

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Erosion and Weathering

Return to Tableof Contents

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Erosion and Weathering Erosion and weathering are two of the major forces that have shaped and are continuing to shape the physical world around us.

Understanding these two forces provide us insight on how our land is shaped from mountains to streams to lakes to beaches. Weathering and erosion slowly chisel, polish, and buff Earth's rock into ever evolving formations and wash the remains downstream.

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WeatheringWeathering is the breaking down of the surface of rock, soil, and minerals into smaller pieces. Flowing water changes the landscape as it flows or moves by breaking down rocks or soil as it goes.

Moving water is the strongest weathering force that changes the land we see. Freezing water is also powerful when it enters the cracks of rocks, it will split the rocks in half.

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ErosionErosion is the movement of particles away from their source. Water carries small pieces of rock away from a mountain. Erosion is facilitated by water, oceans, wind and glaciers.

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DepositionAfter Earth's surface has eroded or been weathered away, the materials are moved by water. When they stop moving and are dropped off we call this deposition. Deposition is when soil and rocks are deposited or left somewhere different than where they started. The tiny pieces of rocks that are deposited are sediments.

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Water's Role in Weathering and ErosionWater is nature's most versatile tool and is responsible for the bulk of erosion on the planet, from ocean waves and currents to sediment filled streams, rivers, and floods.

Frozen water also moves large amounts of weathered rock via glaciers.

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Water's Role in Weathering and Erosion

Underground weathering and erosion can lead to caverns and sinkholes.

Weathering & Erosion Video

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19 Erosion is the ________________.

A breaking down of rocks and soil into smaller pieces.

B water freezing in the crack of a rock

C the movement of particles away from their source

D process of disintegration of rock and soil

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20 When soil and rocks are left somewhere different than where they started, it is known as:

A Landslide

B Deposition

C Erosion

D Weathering

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21 Which of the following forces would not cause weathering?

A Glaciers moving down a valley

B A strong flowing river

C The sun shining on a rock

D Water freezing the cracks of rocks

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22 The weathering and erosion of underground water could create ___________ and ___________.

A Volcanoes

B Sink Holes

C Caverns

D Groundwater

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Erosion and Weathering: Activity 1

Examine the effects of weathering and erosion in this

activity.

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Erosion and Weathering: Activity 2

Examine the effects of the freeze/thaw cycle in this activity.

This is a frozen waterfall on Wappinger Creek, New York.

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Erosion and Weathering: Activity 3

Examine how water flow affects erosion and weathering in this activity.

This formation in South Wales was caused by the erosion of the cliffs by the ocean.