Water is warmed by the sun and . It is then cooled and . Finally, it is brought back to Earth in the form of
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct fill-ins for the sentence are:
“Water is warmed by the sun and evaporates. It is then cooled and condenses. Finally, it is brought back to Earth in the form of precipitation.”
Explanation:
This sentence describes the water cycle, which is the continuous movement of water within the Earth-atmosphere system. The process involves several stages:
- Evaporation: When water from oceans, lakes, rivers, or other bodies of water is heated by the sun, it changes from liquid form to water vapor and rises into the atmosphere. This process is called evaporation. Plants also contribute to this stage through transpiration, where water evaporates from the leaves.
- Condensation: As the water vapor rises higher into the atmosphere, it cools down and changes back into liquid droplets, forming clouds. This process is called condensation. The cooling occurs because the atmosphere becomes cooler at higher altitudes, causing the water vapor to lose energy and condense into liquid.
- Precipitation: When the clouds become heavy enough, the water droplets combine and fall to the Earth’s surface in the form of precipitation, which can be rain, snow, sleet, or hail, depending on the temperature. This precipitation replenishes water sources like rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers.
The cycle then continues as the water that falls back to Earth either evaporates again, flows into bodies of water, or gets absorbed by plants and animals, keeping the system in constant motion.
In summary, the water cycle describes the crucial role of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation in regulating water distribution across the Earth.
