What is the source of energy driving the hydrolic cycle?
a. evaporation of the ocean water
b. heat conducted from the earth's core to the surface
c. radiant heat from the sun
d. air currents returning to the earth's surface
The source of energy driving the hydrologic cycle is c. radiant heat from the sun.
To get the answer to this question, you can start by understanding the basics of the hydrological cycle. The hydrologic cycle, also known as the water cycle, is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth's surface. It involves processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.
In the hydrologic cycle, water evaporates from oceans, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water, transforming from a liquid state to a gas state (water vapor). This is where evaporation comes into play. When water evaporates, it rises into the atmosphere.
Next, the water vapor in the atmosphere condenses to form clouds. This happens when the warm air containing water vapor cools down, causing the vapor to change back into liquid droplets. This process is called condensation.
Eventually, the condensed water droplets become heavy enough to fall back to the Earth's surface as precipitation, such as rain, snow, or hail. This is where the energy from the sun comes into play. The radiant heat from the sun is responsible for heating the Earth's surface, which in turn heats the air and causes it to rise, creating air currents. These air currents help in the transportation of water vapor in the atmosphere and influence the formation of clouds and the distribution of precipitation.
Therefore, the source of energy driving the hydrologic cycle is the radiant heat from the sun.