Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (12th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0134074254
ISBN 13: 978-0-13407-425-2

Chapter 16 - Section 16.1 - Earth as a System: The Hydrologic Cycle - Concept Checks - Page 469: 2

Answer

Evapotranspiration is the combined process of evaporation and transpiration, representing the total amount of water that is transferred from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere. Evaporation occurs when water changes from a liquid to a vapor state due to heat energy from the sun. Transpiration, on the other hand, refers to the release of water vapor by plants through their leaves during photosynthesis. Together, evapotranspiration plays a crucial role in the hydrologic cycle, as it returns water vapor back to the atmosphere, where it can later condense and form precipitation.

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