Question 9 of 12intermediate💡 UnderstandLong Answer3 marks

The water cycle helps in the redistribution and replenishment of water on the Earth. Justify the statement.

Correct Answer

The water cycle plays a crucial role in redistributing and replenishing water on Earth through a continuous process.

Water exists in three states in nature—as liquid in oceans, rivers, and lakes; as solid in the form of snow, ice sheets, and glaciers; and as gas in the form of water vapour in the atmosphere.

The Sun's heat causes water from oceans, rivers, and lakes to evaporate as water vapour. Water also evaporates from trees and plants through transpiration.

When water vapour rises up, it cools down and condenses to form clouds. Clouds bring rain, snow, and hail through precipitation.

This water flows into ponds, lakes, rivers, and oceans, or seeps into the ground as groundwater.

The continuous movement of water—upward as water vapour and downward through precipitation—ensures that water is redistributed across different regions of the Earth.

The water cycle also replenishes groundwater sources through infiltration, ensuring a sustainable water supply. Thus, the water cycle conserves the total amount of water on Earth while continuously redistributing it.

Exercise: Let Us Enhance Our Learning | Q: 10 | (Page Page 16)
For More Understanding

Explanation

The chapter states: 'The continuous movement of water—upward as water vapour and downward through precipitation, passing through soil, rocks, and plants, and finally returning to water bodies, is called water cycle. Thus, the water cycle helps in redistributing and replenishing water in rivers, lakes, and oceans. It also serves to conserve the total amount of water on the Earth.'

Solution Steps

  1. Water exists in three states in nature: liquid (oceans, rivers, lakes), solid (snow, ice sheets, glaciers), and gas (water vapour in atmosphere)

  2. The Sun's heat causes evaporation of water from oceans, rivers, and lakes

  3. Water evaporates from trees and plants through transpiration

  4. Rising water vapour cools down and condenses to form clouds

  5. Clouds bring rain, snow, and hail through precipitation

  6. Precipitated water flows into water bodies or seeps into the ground as groundwater

  7. The continuous upward and downward movement of water redistributes it across different regions

  8. Groundwater sources are replenished through infiltration

  9. The water cycle conserves the total amount of water on Earth while redistributing it

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