Describe the path a water molecule takes as it travels through the hydrologic cycle.
The path that a water molecule takes in the hydrologic cycle begins with the process of evaporation, which occurs on the surface of the oceans, lakes, and other open water bodies. Evaporation occurs when the surface of the water is heated by the sun; thus, converting water molecules to gas. Additionally, it is essential to take note of the fact that water molecules can also move from plants, which is a process referred to as transpiration. The evaporation of the water molecule, which is converted into moist air, then lifts through the atmosphere as a result of its reduced density. As the moist air rises, it begins to cool, which results in another process referred to as condensation.
Condensation is the conversation of the water vapor back into liquid form, which at this point are water droplets or ice crystals. The condensation of the water vapor results in the formation of a cloud, which consists of the water droplets. The clouds are then moved by winds over the land where the water droplets come down in the form of rain or slow. The process in which water droplets fall back to the surface of the earth is referred to as precipitation. After the water has hit the surface of the planet, it is then able to flow in the form of streams and rivers back to the lakes, oceans, and other water bodies. Some of the water also filtrates into the ground, referred to as groundwater, which will then go back to the oceans. It is at this point that the hydrologic cycle begins again.
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Explain significant ocean current systems and their impact on climate.
Ocean current systems are considered as being important in seeking to understand the movement of heat between the water bodies, on the surface of the earth, the landmasses, and the atmosphere. According to geographical data, the ocean covers 71% of the total landmass on the planet while holding approximately 97% of the total amount of water. Consequently, this means that the sea is a critical factor of consideration when seeking to define the transfer of energy. Ocean currents occur on the ocean’s surface in deep waters, which are below 300 meters (984 feet), and are defined by different aspects associated with the earth. The interconnected current system results from the shifts in winds, tides, rotation of the planet, as well as, the water density differences. The factors seek to determine the size, shape, and speed of the ocean currents moving on the surface.
Surface ocean currents are considered as a type of ocean current system that is typically driven by the wind; thus, resulting in horizontal and vertical movements of the water. On the other hand, deep ocean currents are a type of ocean current system that is driven by the density of the water, which is often affected by a wide array of factors including temperature, depth of the sea, and salinity. The impact of the ocean current systems on climate can be seen from the fact that the currents seek to define notable shifts in the transfer of energy between the earth's surface and the atmosphere. Ultimately, this means that the currents determine the climatic condition within a specific region, as it determines the temperatures of the surrounding areas, as well as precipitation.
Describe the layers of the atmosphere and how the atmosphere affects the weather.
The atmosphere is comprised of several notable layers, which are defined based on their differentiated temperatures. The first layer of the atmosphere is the troposphere, which is the lowest containing most of the weather conditions, including rain, clouds, and snow. The temperature in this layer of the atmosphere reduces at a rate of 6.5°C per kilometer as one moves away from the surface of the earth. The second layer of the atmosphere is the stratosphere, which extends upwards from the troposphere for a distance of approximately 50km. In this layer, the main feature to note is that it contains a significant part of the ozone, which helps in the absorption of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that is emitted from the sun.
The third layer of the atmosphere is the mesosphere, which is above the stratosphere and reaches a reduced temperature of -90°C at the “mesopause.” The other layers are the thermosphere and ionosphere, as well as, the exosphere, each of which occurs after the other reaching a distance of approximately 500km. The atmosphere affects weather in a significant way, as it defines the pattern of variation when dealing with climatic factors that include temperatures, humidity, and atmospheric pressure, among others. Changes in the atmosphere are represented by a difference in the weather patterns, as the atmosphere impacts the different variables depending on the difference. That means that the atmosphere ought to be viewed as being key to defining the dynamics of change in the weather conditions. The atmosphere also helps in preserving gases that are of great value towards protecting the earth's surface from the adverse effects associated with the sun.
Briefly describe how each of the forces shapes the land: erosion, mass wasting, streams, oceans, and glaciers.
Erosion refers to the process through which rocks and soils are loosened; thus, facilitating their movement over the surface of the earth. The movement can be attributed to factors such as wind and water, among others. Erosion shapes the land by seeking to wear down on mountains and hills, filling valleys and gullies, and results in a situation where rivers can appear and disappear.
Mass wasting helps in shaping the land by allowing for natural movement of soil, sand, regolith, and rock down slopes. The evolution of the different solids results in a situation where the shape of the land changes significantly. In some cases, mass wasting is also characterized by debris flows and mudflows, which tend to have severe implications for changing the shape of the land.
Streams shape land through the cutting of valleys in areas where they are passing. In high fields, streams develop the nation by cutting V-shaped valleys that are often seen as being both narrow and straight. As the land becomes flat, the shape of the streams changes towards becoming wider and curvier; thus, meaning that they tend to change the landscape in a significant way.
Oceans often shape land through the process in which rocks and land are worn down using the currents, waves, and erosion. Ocean currents tend to have significant impact on shaping lands, as they contribute to attrition, which occurs over a specific period of time. As the sea level rises, the amount of water in the oceans increases significantly, thereby creating the possibility of having to shape more land.
Glaciers help in shaping the land by eroding the land surface, as well as, ensuring that the broken rocks and debris from the land are carried to other locations altogether. The reshaping of the land by glaciers is a process that is likely to take hundreds or, in some cases, thousands of years. The resulting outcome is that the glaciers help in the formation of new landforms based on the debris that has been carried from other locations.
