Water travels through many different pathways within the hydrologic cycle. For example, water vapor in the atmosphere could condense into clouds, fall to Earth’s surface as precipitation, and then accumulate in a pond. If a horse drinks the water in the pond, which of the following is a likely next step for that water in the hydrologic cycle?

Question

A.
The water will evaporate from the horse's stomach into the air.
B.
The water will be permanently trapped and reused inside the horse's body.
C.
The water will be absorbed by the horse's skin and turned into carbon dioxide.
D.
The water will leave the horse when the horse sweats or urinates.
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Answer 1

The most likely next step for that water in the hydrologic cycle after a horse drinks it is:

D. The water will leave the horse when the horse sweats or urinates.

This option reflects the natural processes in the hydrologic cycle, where water is eventually excreted or lost from the body through various means such as sweating and urination, returning it to the environment.