TeXes Science Practice Test

How does the hydrologic cycle illustrate the movement of water through different phases?

1. It follows a linear path.

2. It includes phases like evaporation and precipitation.

3. It only involves ocean interactions.

4. It depicts water movement through underground reservoirs.

The correct answer is: It includes phases like evaporation and precipitation.

The hydrologic cycle illustrates the movement of water through various phases by encompassing processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff. During evaporation, water transforms from a liquid to a gaseous state, rising into the atmosphere. As the water vapor cools, it condenses to form clouds, leading to precipitation when the droplets coalesce and fall back to the Earth's surface as rain, snow, or other forms of moisture. This cyclical nature shows how water is continuously recycled and moves between different phases—solid, liquid, and gas—throughout the environment. The focus on multiple phases within the hydrologic cycle emphasizes its complexity and interconnectedness, demonstrating that water is never static but constantly changing and moving.