Which of the following is the correct descending order of composition of the hydrosphere in terms of percentage of water?a)Ice caps and glaciers Ground water River Lakesb)Ice caps and glaciers River Lakes Ground waterc)Ice caps and glaciers Ground water Lakes Riverd)Ice caps and glaciers Lakes River Ground waterCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Question

Which of the following is the correct descending order of composition of the hydrosphere in terms of percentage of water?a)Ice caps and glaciers > Ground water > River > Lakesb)Ice caps and glaciers > River > Lakes > Ground waterc)Ice caps and glaciers > Ground water > Lakes > Riverd)Ice caps and glaciers > Lakes > River > Ground waterCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Answer

The correct descending order of composition of the hydrosphere in terms of percentage of water is option 'C': Ice caps and glaciers > Ground water > Lakes > River.

Let's break down each component:

1. Ice caps and glaciers: These are large masses of ice that exist on land and are formed from the accumulation and compaction of snow over long periods of time. They are found in polar regions and on high mountains. Ice caps and glaciers store a significant amount of water in the form of ice, making them the largest reservoir of freshwater on Earth.

2. Groundwater: This refers to the water that is stored beneath the Earth's surface in underground aquifers. It is obtained by drilling wells or extracting it from natural springs. Groundwater is a vital source of water for drinking, irrigation, and industrial use. It accounts for a substantial portion of the Earth's freshwater resources.

3. Lakes: Lakes are large bodies of water that are surrounded by land. They are formed by various processes, such as tectonic activity, glaciation, or volcanic activity. Lakes can vary in size, from small ponds to massive bodies of water like the Great Lakes in North America. They play an essential role in regulating the water cycle and provide habitats for various species.

4. River: Rivers are flowing bodies of water that are formed by the accumulation of water from various sources, such as rain, melting snow, or groundwater. They play a crucial role in transporting water and nutrients across landscapes and are vital for the survival of ecosystems and human populations. Rivers ultimately drain into oceans or other bodies of water.

The reason why option 'C' is the correct answer is that it correctly arranges the components of the hydrosphere in descending order of the percentage of water they contain. Ice caps and glaciers hold the largest percentage of water, followed by groundwater, lakes, and finally rivers.

Answer

Hydrosphere refers to the total amount of water present on or under the surface of a planet. About three-fourth of the globe is covered by the hydrosphere. Out of the total surface area of the globe, the hydrosphere and Lithosphere cover about 71 percent and about 29 percent, respectively. The Hydrosphere is a combination of the mass of water and the Earth's hydrosphere is made of oceans, lakes and rivers, glaciers, ice caps and icebergs. The composition of the hydrosphere in terms of percentage of water are Oceans (97.6%), Saline lakes and inland seas (0.008%), Ice caps and glaciers (1.9%), Groundwater (0.5%), Soil moisture (0.01%), Lakes (0.009%), Fresh Water Rivers (0.0001%), Atmosphere (0.0009%). Therefore, the correct answer is c.

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