Rainfall is part of the water cycle. Water evaporates from oceans, lakes and vegetation, then condenses into clouds. Precipitation (rain, sleet, hail or snow) falls back into rivers, lakes, oceans and underground, continuing the cycle.
FIGURE1 The water cycle
E
A
C
Transpiration
D
B
G
Infiltration
Groundwater
F
A The sun’s heat provides the energy for the water cycle process. B The sun evaporates water from oceans, damp soil, leaves and people’s skin, turning it into water vapour. C The warm air that absorbs evaporated moisture expands and rises into the atmosphere. D As warm, moist air rises, it cools. Water vapour that cannot be held in the air condenses into tiny water droplets or ice crystals. As more of these form, clouds appear. This process is known as condensation. E When the droplets or crystals in the cloud become too heavy to overcome the pull of gravity, they fall to Earth as precipitation. F Run-off from land returns to the sea via rivers and underground channels. G Inýltration occurs when water seeps into the soil.
How are diagrams useful? Diagrams are useful for representing ideas visually. They are often used to increase understanding of written information. They can be used to:
• illustrate a process • simplify a concept
• show þows and movements • illustrate relationships spatially. The diagram in FIGURE2 shows how properties can be designed to manage þoods in new development areas and existing development areas. A good diagram: • is large so it can be easily interpreted • has understandable annotations or labels
Jacaranda Humanities Alive 7 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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