Interactions of the Hydrologic and Rock Cycles (HS-ESS2-5): Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.

Water is a vital substance that plays a significant role in shaping the Earth's surface and the interactions within Earth systems. Investigating the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes can provide us with essential information about the hydrologic and rock cycle. This understanding allows us to make informed decisions about our natural resources, protect ecosystems, and prepare for natural disasters.

Main Concepts:

  1. Water is an essential component of many Earth materials and affects their physical and chemical properties. For example, water can increase the volume of some minerals when they are hydrated, leading to cracking and weathering of rocks. Water can also dissolve minerals and transport them from one location to another, leading to the formation of sedimentary rocks. Additionally, the movement of water can cause erosion and deposition of sediment, shaping the Earth's surface over time.
  2. Scientists study the interaction between water and Earth materials by conducting mechanical and chemical investigations. Mechanical investigations include tests such as permeability, which measures how easily water can move through a rock, and porosity, which measures how much space within a rock is filled with water. Chemical investigations include studying the reactions between water and minerals, which can help identify the types of minerals present and their origins.
  3. The hydrologic cycle describes the movement of water through the Earth's systems, including the atmosphere, oceans, and land. The hydrologic cycle is closely connected to the rock cycle, which describes the formation, transformation, and destruction of rocks over time. Water plays a critical role in both cycles, as it weathers rocks and transports sediment, creating the building blocks for new rocks.
  4. Water interacts with many Earth processes, including plate tectonics, volcanism, and climate. For example, water released during volcanic eruptions can lead to lahars, or volcanic mudflows, which can cause significant damage to surrounding areas. Similarly, water can influence the climate by regulating the Earth's temperature through the greenhouse effect. Understanding the interactions between water and Earth processes is critical for predicting and mitigating natural disasters, such as floods and landslides.

Question and Answer Section:

  1. What is the hydrologic cycle? A: The hydrologic cycle is the continuous movement of water between the atmosphere, land, and oceans.
  2. How can water cause mechanical weathering? A: Water can cause mechanical weathering through frost wedging, where water expands as it freezes and breaks apart rocks.
  3. What is the connection between the hydrologic cycle and the rock cycle? A: The hydrologic cycle is an essential part of the rock cycle, as it helps to break down rocks through weathering and erosion, and transport sediments to create new rocks.
  4. What are some examples of chemical investigations with water and solid materials? A: Chemical investigations could include testing the solubility of different materials to examine chemical weathering and recrystallization, or examining how water lowers the melting temperature of most solids to observe melt generation.
  5. How can studying the properties of water help us make informed decisions about natural resources? A: By understanding the interactions between water and Earth materials, we can make informed decisions about how to manage natural resources like water, minerals, and energy sources.
  6. What is infiltration? A: Infiltration is the process by which water enters the soil and moves through it.
  7. How can water cause erosion? A: Water can cause erosion by carrying away soil and rocks through processes like stream transportation.
  8. What is porosity? A: Porosity is a measure of the amount of space between soil or rock particles that can be filled with water.
  9. How does water play a role in the creation of new rocks? A: Water transports sediments that can become compacted and cemented together to form new rocks.
  10. Why is understanding the interactions between water and Earth materials important for preparing for natural disasters? A: Understanding how water interacts with Earth materials can help us predict and prepare for natural disasters like floods and landslides.

*continue your studies by accessing another review sheet below*

Space Systems: HS-ESS1-1 : HS-ESS1-2 : HS-ESS1-3 : HS-ESS1-4 : HS-ESS1-7

History of the Earth: HS-ESS1-5 : HS-ESS1-6 : HS-ESS2-1

Earth's Systems: HS-ESS2-2 : HS-ESS2-3 : HS-ESS2-5 : HS-ESS2-6 : HS-ESS2-7

Weather and Climate: HS-ESS2-4 : HS-ESS3-5 : HS-ESS2-8

Human Sustainability: HS-ESS3-1 : HS-ESS3-2 : HS-ESS3-3 : HS-ESS3-4 : HS.ESS3-6

Disclaimer: The information provided is intended to serve as a study guide based on a contextual analysis of the NGSS standards for the Earth and Space Science assessment. These study guides should be used as a supplement to your overall study strategy, and their alignment to the actual test format is not guaranteed. We recommend that you consult with your instructor for additional guidance on exam preparation.