📚 Topic Summary
The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. It involves processes like evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection. Human activities, such as deforestation, urbanization, and pollution, significantly disrupt this natural cycle, leading to water scarcity, flooding, and decreased water quality. Understanding these impacts is crucial in AP Human Geography to analyze environmental change and sustainability.
🔤 Part A: Vocabulary
Match the terms with their correct definitions:
| Term |
Definition |
| 1. Evaporation |
A. Water falling back to Earth from clouds (rain, snow, sleet, or hail). |
| 2. Condensation |
B. The process where water vapor changes into liquid water. |
| 3. Precipitation |
C. The process where liquid water changes into water vapor (gas). |
| 4. Infiltration |
D. The process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil. |
| 5. Transpiration |
E. The process where plants release water vapor into the atmosphere. |
(Answers: 1-C, 2-B, 3-A, 4-D, 5-E)
✍️ Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Human activities significantly impact the water cycle. __________ (1) leads to reduced __________ (2), increasing surface runoff and the risk of __________(3). Pollution from __________ (4) and agriculture contaminates water sources, reducing water __________(5) for human use.
(Answers: 1-Deforestation, 2-infiltration, 3-flooding, 4-industries, 5-quality)
🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking
How can urban planning strategies mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization on the water cycle? Provide specific examples.