The global water cycle is primarily driven by:

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

When considering what drives the global water cycle, we start by identifying the primary energy source and how it powers the cycle. 
Option 1: transpiration. While transpiration from plants is an important process that moves water from the land to the atmosphere, it is a component of evaporation and the hydrological cycle rather than the ultimate driving force. It operates under the influence of solar heating and atmospheric demand, so it’s not the fundamental driver itself. 
Option 2: river discharge. River discharge describes the flow of water in rivers, which is a result of upstream processes like rainfall, infiltration, and evaporation. It is a downstream manifestation within the cycle rather than the energy source that starts the cycle. 
Option 3: solar energy. This is the key driver of the global water cycle. Solar energy heats surface waters, leading to evaporation; it also drives evaporation from oceans, soil, and vegetation, and powers atmospheric circulation that transports moisture globally. Without solar input, evaporation would stall and the cycle would halt. 
Option 4: human consumption of water. Human use of water affects local availability and distribution, but it does not provide the global-scale energy to drive the cycle. It modifies reservoirs and flows downstream, but the fundamental engine remains solar energy. 
Thus, the reasoning makes it clear that the cycle is powered by the sun’s energy, with all other options describing processes or consequences rather than the primary driver.

EART-30-01 Final Exam

The global water cycle is primarily driven by:

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