The Water Cycle Quiz: Trivia MCQ!
Questions and Answers
- 1.
What are the stages of the water cycle?
- A.
Rain, snow, sleet, hail
- B.
Precipitation and runoff
- C.
Evaporation, condensation, precipitation and runoff
Correct Answer
C. Evaporation, condensation, precipitation and runoffExplanation
The stages of the water cycle are evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff. Evaporation occurs when water from bodies of water or the Earth's surface turns into water vapor due to heat. Condensation happens when the water vapor cools and turns back into liquid, forming clouds. Precipitation occurs when the condensed water droplets in the clouds become heavy enough and fall to the Earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Finally, runoff refers to the movement of water on the Earth's surface, such as flowing into rivers, lakes, or oceans, completing the water cycle.Rate this question:
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- 2.
What happens during evaporation?
- A.
Water turns to ice.
- B.
The sun heats up water in rivers, lakes, and oceans and it goes into the air.
- C.
The sun heats up water and the water falls to the ground.
Correct Answer
B. The sun heats up water in rivers, lakes, and oceans and it goes into the air.Explanation
During evaporation, the sun's heat causes water in rivers, lakes, and oceans to turn into water vapor and rise into the air. This process occurs when the water molecules gain enough energy from the sun's heat to break their bonds and escape into the atmosphere. Once in the air, the water vapor can condense and form clouds, eventually leading to precipitation.Rate this question:
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- 3.
What happens during condensation?
- A.
Water vapor in the air gets cold and turns into water drops.
- B.
Water heats up and turns into steam.
- C.
Water drops fall back to earth.
Correct Answer
A. Water vapor in the air gets cold and turns into water drops.Explanation
During condensation, water vapor in the air loses heat and undergoes a phase change, transforming into water drops. This process occurs when the temperature of the water vapor decreases, causing the water molecules to slow down and come closer together. As a result, the water vapor condenses into visible water droplets, which can form clouds or fall back to the Earth as precipitation.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Why does precipitation happen?
- A.
Water vapor goes into the air.
- B.
Water falls back to earth.
- C.
Clouds form.
Correct Answer
B. Water falls back to earth.Explanation
Precipitation happens when water vapor in the air condenses into liquid or solid form and falls back to the earth's surface. This process occurs when the air becomes saturated with water vapor, causing the water molecules to come together and form droplets or ice crystals. These droplets or crystals then become too heavy for the air to hold, leading to their fall as precipitation. This can happen in various forms such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.Rate this question:
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- 5.
What is runoff?
- A.
Water flows downhill and into streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans.
- B.
Water soaks into the ground.
- C.
Both
Correct Answer
C. BothExplanation
Runoff refers to the process in which water flows downhill and enters streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans. It also includes the phenomenon of water soaking into the ground. Therefore, the correct answer is "Both" as both options describe different aspects of runoff.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Rain, snow, sleet, and hail are examples of
Correct Answer
precipitation, condensation, evaporationExplanation
Rain, snow, sleet, and hail are examples of precipitation, which refers to any form of water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface. This can include raindrops, snowflakes, or ice pellets. Condensation is the process by which water vapor in the air cools and turns into liquid water, forming clouds. Evaporation, on the other hand, is the process by which liquid water changes into water vapor, rising into the atmosphere. While both condensation and evaporation are part of the water cycle, they do not directly refer to the specific forms of water that fall from the sky, unlike precipitation.Rate this question:
- 7.
Clouds form during condensation.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Clouds form during condensation because when warm air rises and cools, the water vapor in the air condenses into tiny water droplets or ice crystals. These droplets or crystals then come together to form clouds. Condensation is the process by which water vapor changes into liquid or solid form, and it is an essential step in cloud formation.Rate this question:
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- 8.
During evaporation, water changes from a liquid to a
Correct Answer
solid, gasExplanation
During evaporation, water changes from a liquid state to a gaseous state. The process of evaporation involves the conversion of water molecules from the liquid phase to the gas phase, where they gain enough energy to overcome the attractive forces between them and escape into the surrounding air. The formation of a solid state, which is freezing, is not a part of the evaporation process.Rate this question:
- 9.
During condensation, water changes from a gas (water vapor) to a
Correct Answer
liquid, solidExplanation
During condensation, water vapor loses heat energy and transforms into liquid water. This process occurs when the temperature of the water vapor decreases, causing the water molecules to slow down and come closer together. As they come together, they form liquid droplets. In certain conditions, such as very cold temperatures, water vapor can skip the liquid phase and directly transform into solid ice through a process called deposition. Therefore, during condensation, water can change from a gas to a liquid or a solid, depending on the specific conditions.Rate this question:
- 10.
The water cycle:
- A.
Happens one time
- B.
Happens sometimes
- C.
Happens over and over (never stops)
Correct Answer
C. Happens over and over (never stops)Explanation
The water cycle refers to the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth's surface. It involves processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff, which occur repeatedly in a cyclical manner. Water evaporates from bodies of water, forms clouds, and eventually falls back to the Earth as precipitation, replenishing the water sources. This cycle repeats indefinitely, making the correct answer "happens over and over (never stops)."Rate this question:
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