Which makes precipitation and runoff possible?(1 point)
Responses
vapor
vapor
gravity
gravity
groundwater
groundwater
radiant energy
vapor
The correct answer is "vapor" and "gravity".
The correct answer is vapor, gravity, and groundwater.
To understand why these factors make precipitation and runoff possible, let's break it down:
1. Vapor: When water on the Earth's surface is heated by the sun, it evaporates and turns into water vapor. This water vapor eventually rises into the atmosphere. As it cools, it condenses and forms clouds. Eventually, the condensed water droplets in the clouds become heavy enough to fall as precipitation, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
2. Gravity: Gravity plays a crucial role in precipitation and runoff. After water falls from the clouds, the force of gravity pulls it towards the Earth's surface. Gravity pulls the water droplets down as rain or other forms of precipitation. Additionally, gravity pulls the precipitation downhill, causing it to flow over the land surface and form runoff.
3. Groundwater: Some of the precipitation that falls on land infiltrates into the ground and is stored as groundwater. Groundwater is an important source of water for surface streams, rivers, and lakes. When the underground water table is full, the excess groundwater moves through the soil and becomes part of the runoff.
Therefore, it is the combination of vapor, gravity, and groundwater that enables precipitation (the falling of water from the atmosphere) and runoff (the flow of water over the land surface).