Problem 1
Sort the following 12 terms into six pairs of terms that most closely relate to one another. Explain your choices. \(\begin{array}{lll}\text { groundwater } & \text { plants } & \text { transpiration } \\ \text { stream } & \text { ice } & \text { infiltration } \\\ \text { rainfall } & \text { precipitation } & \text { water vapor } \\\ \text { gas } & \text { meltwater } & \text { runoff }\end{array}\)
Problem 2
Imagine that it rained continuously all over the world for a month. If we were to measure the depth of the oceans over a 5 -day period near the end of the month, what would we observe? Explain your choice. a) Ocean depths rise steadily. b) Ocean depths fall steadily. c) Ocean depths stay the same.
Problem 3
Use the hydrologic cycle to suggest a hypothesis about why rivers in South America carry approximately twice as much freshwater as do rivers in North America.
Problem 4
Draw a concept map that identifies the links among the components of the earth system and the hydrologic cycle.
Problem 5
Why is the volume of water in the Mississippi River about 10 times greater than the volume of water in the Nile River? a) The Mississippi River drainage basin is 10 times bigger than the Nile basin. b) The Mississippi River drainage basin receives more precipitation. c) The Mississippi River is a longer stream. d) There is less vegetation to absorb precipitation in the Mississippi River drainage basin.
Problem 9
Explain why stream velocity would change along the same section of a stream at different times of the year.
Problem 10
A stream channel narrows between support columns under a bridge. If discharge does not change, predict how stream velocity would be altered as water flowed under the bridge. a) Velocity would increase. b) Velocity would decrease. c) Velocity would not change.
Problem 11
Some scientists predict that global warming will result in a corresponding increase in evaporation from the oceans. How would this affect the discharge of the Amazon River? a) Discharge would increase. b) Discharge would decrease. c) Discharge would stay the same.
Problem 12
Create a concept map that illustrates the connections among the factors that influence stream flow. Include the following eight terms and up to four more of your own choosing. \(\begin{array}{lll}\text { discharge } & \text { velocity } & \text { wetted perimeter } \\ \begin{array}{lll}\text { depth } & \text { gradient } & \text { channel roughness } \\ \text { cross-sectional area } & \text { width } & \\\ \hline\end{array} & \end{array}\)
Problem 13
What statements are most likely true about a pebble found in a stream? a) It formed from erosion of sedimentary rock in the streambed or bank. b) It formed when sand and clay clumped together in the stream. c) It is younger in age than the stream channel. d) It may be composed of any type of rock.
