Deep Dive: The Infiltration Process Quiz

If gravity pulls liquid water down to the Earth's surface, then it meets the soil. If the soil has tiny spaces, then the water moves into those spaces. If water moves from the surface into the ground, then the process is called infiltration.

If an object or substance is on Earth, then gravity pulls it toward the center of the planet. If water is on the surface, then gravity pulls it downward. If there are openings in the soil, then gravity pulls the water through those openings into the geosphere.

If a surface is solid like concrete or metal, then there are no holes for water to enter. If soil is loose and sandy, then it has many large spaces (pores). If there are many large spaces, then water can easily pass through, resulting in high infiltration.

If water successfully infiltrates the soil, then it continues to move downward. If it reaches a zone where all spaces are filled with water, then it is stored there. If water is stored in these underground spaces, then we call it groundwater.

If soil is already "saturated," then all the tiny holes are filled with liquid. If the holes are already full, then there is no room for new water to enter. If no new water can enter, then infiltration must stop or slow down significantly.

If the ground is steep, then gravity pulls water down the hill (runoff) before it can soak in. If the ground is paved, then there are no holes for water. If rain falls too fast for the soil to grab, then it stays on top. Therefore, A, B, and C all limit infiltration.

If water moves through soil, then the soil particles act like a physical screen. If the soil traps dirt and certain chemicals, then the water becomes cleaner as it moves deeper. Therefore, infiltration acts as a natural filtering process.

If soil is made of many small pieces of rock and organic matter, then they do not fit together perfectly. If they don't fit perfectly, then empty spaces exist between them. In science, these specific empty spaces are called pores.

If infiltration is the process of moving into the ground, then the water must be entering the Earth's solid layers. If the geosphere represents the rocks and soil of Earth, then the water is moving into the geosphere.

If infiltration is the "entry" of water into the soil, then there must be a word for its "travel" further down. If water continues to move downward through the subsoil toward the water table, then that specific movement is called percolation.

If tree roots grow in the soil, then they create channels and keep the soil loose. If dead leaves cover the ground, then they slow down the water so it has more time to soak in. Therefore, these features lead to better infiltration.

If the hydrosphere includes all of Earth's water and the geosphere includes the soil and rocks, then water moving into the ground is a meeting of these two systems. If they affect each other during this move, then it is a scientific interaction.

If a parking lot is made of asphalt, then it prevents infiltration. If infiltration is blocked, then water cannot reach the groundwater storage. If the storage isn't refilled by rain, then the amount of groundwater will likely decrease.

If the soil is too hard or the rain is too heavy, then the water cannot move downward. If it cannot move downward, then gravity pulls it along the surface to the lowest point. If water moves across the surface, then it is called runoff.

If water percolates deep enough, it reaches a layer that can store and transmit water. If this layer is large enough to be used as a water source, then it is scientifically defined as an aquifer.

If sand is made of large, coarse particles, then the spaces between them are also large. If clay is made of tiny, flat particles that pack tightly together, then the spaces are very small. Therefore, sandy soil actually has larger pores.

If a plant has roots underground, then it needs water to reach those roots. If infiltration moves surface water into the soil, then the water becomes available for the roots to soak up. Thus, infiltration is the delivery system for plant water.

If a sponge has many tiny holes, then it can hold water. If you pour water on a sponge, then it disappears inside. If soil behaves the same way by taking in water through holes, then a sponge is a great model for infiltration.

If every pore space in the soil is occupied by water, then there is no room for air or more water. If this state of "fullness" is reached, then the soil has reached the point of being saturated.

If a surface is steep, then gravity pulls the water horizontally down the slope very quickly. If the water is moving fast across the surface, then it does not have enough time to sink into the pores. Therefore, speed reduces infiltration.