After the presentation, students were asked to make inferences about the various processes involved in the water cycle. The students made four inferences:

Question

Condensation is a process involving the hydrosphere and biosphere.
Transpiration is a process involving the biosphere and atmosphere.
Evaporation is a process involving the hydrosphere and atmosphere.
Precipitation is a process involving the biosphere and geosphere.

Which of the students' inferences are correct?
A. 1 and 2
B. 1 and 4
C. 2 and 3
D. 3 and 4

Answer 1

To evaluate the students' inferences about the processes involved in the water cycle, let's analyze each statement:

1. Condensation: This process involves water vapor cooling and changing back into liquid water. It primarily involves the hydrosphere (water) and atmosphere (air). The biosphere is not directly involved in the condensation process. So, this statement is incorrect.

2. Transpiration: This is the process by which water is absorbed by plant roots and then released as vapor through pores (stomata) in leaves. This process involves the biosphere (plants) and the atmosphere (water vapor). This statement is correct.

3. Evaporation: This process involves water turning into vapor and rising into the atmosphere. It is a function of the hydrosphere (water) and the atmosphere (air). Therefore, this statement is correct.

4. Precipitation: This includes all forms of water, such as rain or snow, falling from the atmosphere to the surface. It primarily involves the atmosphere and returns water to the hydrosphere (lakes, rivers, etc.) or can affect the geosphere (land). The direct involvement with the biosphere is not necessary for the precipitation process itself to occur. Thus, this statement is incorrect.

Based on this analysis:

• Only inferences 2 and 3 are correct.

So, the correct answer is C. 2 and 3.