Water Cycle Quiz Trivia Facts! Quiz
Some people who do not know how the water cycle happens may have a hard time knowing which comes first and may use the theory or is it the chicken or the egg that comes first. Some of us don’t know some of the basic facts about this process. Do you? Test your knowledge about these simple facts by taking the quiz below. All the best!
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Precipitation falls in what four forms?
- A.
Rain
- B.
Snow
- C.
Sleet
- D.
Hail
- E.
Water vapor
- F.
Plasma
Correct Answer(s)
A. Rain
B. Snow
C. Sleet
D. HailExplanation
Precipitation refers to any form of water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface. The four forms mentioned in the answer, rain, snow, sleet, and hail, are the most common types of precipitation. Rain is liquid water droplets that fall from the clouds, snow is frozen water crystals, sleet is a mixture of rain and snow that partially melts and refreezes before reaching the ground, and hail is solid ice pellets that form in thunderstorms. Water vapor and plasma are not forms of precipitation, as water vapor is the gaseous state of water and plasma is a highly ionized gas.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Precipitation that sinks into the ground is called what?
Correct Answer(s)
groundwater
GROUNDWATER
GroundwaterExplanation
Groundwater is the correct answer because it refers to the precipitation that infiltrates and is stored within the subsurface of the Earth. It is an important source of water for wells and springs, and plays a crucial role in maintaining the water balance of ecosystems. The three variations of the answer provided (groundwater, GROUNDWATER, Groundwater) all convey the same concept and are all correct.Rate this question:
- 3.
What are the three forms water takes as it moves through the water cycle?
- A.
Liquid
- B.
Plasma
- C.
Gas
- D.
Solid
- E.
Carbon dioxide
Correct Answer(s)
A. Liquid
C. Gas
D. SolidExplanation
Water takes three forms as it moves through the water cycle: liquid, gas, and solid. In the liquid form, water exists in rivers, lakes, and oceans. During evaporation, water turns into a gas and rises into the atmosphere. This gas then condenses to form clouds and eventually falls back to the Earth's surface as precipitation, which can be in the form of rain, snow, or hail. In colder temperatures, water can also freeze and become solid, such as ice or snow.Rate this question:
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- 4.
The surface of planet Earth is covered by how much water?
- A.
70%
- B.
97%
- C.
3%
- D.
25%
Correct Answer
A. 70%Explanation
Approximately 70% of the Earth's surface is covered by water. This includes the oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water. The remaining 30% is made up of landmasses. This percentage is significant as it highlights the dominance of water on our planet and its crucial role in sustaining life.Rate this question:
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- 5.
What three things are needed for condensation to happen?
- A.
Cooler temperatures
- B.
Earth's gravity
- C.
Water vapor in the air
- D.
Something for water vapor to cling to (such as dust)
Correct Answer(s)
A. Cooler temperatures
C. Water vapor in the air
D. Something for water vapor to cling to (such as dust)Explanation
Condensation occurs when water vapor in the air comes into contact with a surface that is cooler than the dew point temperature. Cooler temperatures are necessary because they lower the temperature of the air, causing the water vapor to lose energy and change into liquid droplets. Water vapor in the air is needed because without it, there would be no moisture available to condense. Lastly, something for the water vapor to cling to, such as dust particles, is necessary because condensation requires a surface for the water vapor to condense onto.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Where is most of Earth's freshwater stored?
- A.
Underground as groundwater
- B.
Reservoirs in cities and towns
- C.
In lakes and rivers
- D.
In seas and oceans
- E.
Frozen in polar ice caps and glaciers
Correct Answer
E. Frozen in polar ice caps and glaciersExplanation
Most of Earth's freshwater is stored in polar ice caps and glaciers. These frozen formations hold a significant amount of freshwater in the form of ice. This water is trapped in the ice caps and glaciers and is not readily available for human use or consumption. However, as these ice formations melt due to global warming, the freshwater is released into the oceans, contributing to rising sea levels.Rate this question:
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- 7.
What percentage of Earth’s total water is available for use by living organisms?
- A.
Less than 1%
- B.
3%
- C.
70%
- D.
97%
- E.
25%
Correct Answer
A. Less than 1%Explanation
Less than 1% of Earth's total water is available for use by living organisms. This is because the majority of Earth's water is in the form of saltwater in the oceans, which is not suitable for consumption by most living organisms. Only a small fraction of Earth's water is freshwater, and even within that, a significant portion is locked up in ice caps and glaciers. Therefore, less than 1% of Earth's total water is accessible and usable by living organisms.Rate this question:
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- 8.
What is the source of energy for evaporation?
- A.
Gas
- B.
Water vapor
- C.
Electricity
- D.
Heat from the sun
- E.
Battery power
Correct Answer
D. Heat from the sunExplanation
Evaporation is the process by which a liquid changes into a gas. It occurs when the molecules in a liquid gain enough energy to break free and become a gas. The most common source of this energy is heat, and specifically, heat from the sun. The sun's rays provide the necessary energy to increase the temperature of the liquid, causing its molecules to move faster and eventually escape into the atmosphere as water vapor. Therefore, heat from the sun is the source of energy for evaporation.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Precipitation that runs off Earth’s surface and works it's way down to into rivers, lakes, and eventually to oceans, is called what?
Correct Answer
runoff
Runoff
RUNOFFExplanation
Precipitation that falls on the Earth's surface and flows into rivers, lakes, and oceans is referred to as runoff. It is the process by which water moves over the land surface and collects in bodies of water. This water can carry pollutants, sediments, and nutrients from the land into the water bodies, affecting their quality. Runoff plays a crucial role in the water cycle and the distribution of water resources on Earth.Rate this question:
- 10.
Of all the water on planet Earth, how much is salty water?
- A.
97%
- B.
3%
- C.
25%
- D.
70%
Correct Answer
A. 97%Explanation
Approximately 97% of the water on planet Earth is salty water. This includes water found in the oceans, seas, and saltwater lakes. The remaining 3% is freshwater, which is found in rivers, lakes, groundwater, and polar ice caps. Salty water is not suitable for drinking or irrigation without undergoing desalination processes, making freshwater a valuable and limited resource.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Earth's fresh water can be found in what different places? (pick 5)
- A.
Ice caps
- B.
Lakes & rivers
- C.
Glaciers
- D.
Oceans
- E.
Salt lakes
- F.
In the air
- G.
Underground
Correct Answer(s)
A. Ice caps
B. Lakes & rivers
C. Glaciers
F. In the air
G. UndergroundExplanation
Fresh water on Earth can be found in various places such as ice caps, lakes and rivers, glaciers, in the air (as water vapor), and underground. These sources contribute to the planet's freshwater supply and are vital for sustaining life and supporting ecosystems.Rate this question:
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- 12.
What are needed for precipitation to happen? (pick 2)
- A.
The power of the sun
- B.
Liquid drops combining to form heavier ones
- C.
Earth's gravity
- D.
Wind
Correct Answer(s)
B. Liquid drops combining to form heavier ones
C. Earth's gravityExplanation
Precipitation occurs when liquid drops combine to form heavier ones and when Earth's gravity pulls these drops down from the atmosphere to the ground. The power of the sun and wind are not directly involved in the process of precipitation. The sun's energy does play a role in the water cycle, which leads to the formation of clouds and eventually precipitation, but it is not a direct requirement for precipitation to occur. Wind can affect the movement and distribution of precipitation, but it is not a necessary factor for precipitation to happen.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Plants add water into the air through a process called...
- A.
Condensation
- B.
Evaporation
- C.
Transpiration
- D.
Precipitation
- E.
Condensation
Correct Answer
C. TranspirationExplanation
Plants add water into the air through a process called transpiration. Transpiration is the process by which water is released from the leaves of plants into the atmosphere. It occurs when water is absorbed by the roots of the plant and transported up to the leaves, where it is then released through small openings called stomata. This process helps to regulate the temperature of the plant, as well as transport nutrients and minerals throughout the plant. Transpiration also plays a crucial role in the water cycle, as it contributes to the overall moisture in the atmosphere.Rate this question:
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