Earth’s Spheres & the Water Cycle Mind Map
← Earth’s Spheres & the Water CycleHow water moves through Earth’s four spheres, and how the land’s shape, soil, and rock control where water flows and what it carries.
- spheres of EarthThe four connected parts of Earth: land, water, air, and living things.Water moves through all four spheres of Earth.
- hydrosphereAll of the water on Earth: oceans, lakes, rivers, ice, ground water, and water vapor.Most of the hydrosphere is salt water in the oceans.
- atmosphereThe layers of gases that surround Earth.The atmosphere protects us from harmful sunlight.
- lithosphereEarth’s rigid outer shell, made of the crust and the rigid uppermost mantle.Mountains and soil are part of the lithosphere.
- biosphereAll the living things on Earth and the places they live.Forests, oceans, and cities are all part of the biosphere.
- hydrologic cycleThe nonstop movement of water between the land, the ocean, the air, and living things. Also called the water cycle.The sun’s energy drives the hydrologic cycle.
- evaporationA liquid changing into gas at its surface; this can happen below its boiling point.Evaporation dried the puddle on a sunny day.
- condensationA gas changing into a liquid, often as it cools.Condensation formed drops on the outside of the cold glass.
- precipitationWater that falls from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.The forecast calls for heavy precipitation tonight.
- transpirationPlants releasing water vapor into the air through their leaves.On hot days, transpiration from trees adds water to the air.
- sublimationA solid changing straight into a gas without melting first.Snow can disappear by sublimation on cold, dry, sunny days.
- infiltrationWater soaking down into the ground.Infiltration is faster in sandy soil than in clay.
- runoffWater that flows over the land surface instead of soaking in.Runoff from the parking lot carried oil into the creek.
- surface waterWater above ground, such as in rivers, lakes, and oceans.Lake Erie is surface water.
- ground waterWater below the water table, where spaces in soil and rock are filled with water.The town’s wells pump ground water.
- aquiferA body of rock or sediment that stores groundwater and lets enough of it flow to supply wells or springs.The well reaches down into an aquifer.
- porosityThe fraction of a material’s total volume made up of open spaces.Gravel has high porosity because it has big gaps.
- permeabilityHow easily a fluid can move through connected spaces in a material.Clay has low permeability, so water pools on top.
- watershedAll the land that drains into one river or lake.Our school is in the Scioto River watershed.
- topographyThe shape of the land’s surface, including its hills, valleys, and slopes.The topography of the valley sends rain downhill into the river.
- elevationHow high a place is above sea level.Water flows from high elevation to low elevation.
- contaminationMaking water, soil, or air unsafe by adding harmful substances.Fertilizer runoff caused contamination of the lake.