The Water Table

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The Water Table
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What is Water?

• The chemical formula for water is H2O.
• There are 2 hydrogen atoms fro every 1 oxygen
  atom.
• One part of the molecule (hydrogen) has a
  slightly positive charge and the other (oxygen)
  has a slightly negative charge.

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• The charge causes each water molecule to act like
  a tiny magnet.
• The magnetic charge affects how water behaves
  underground!

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• Brain Pop Water
• http//www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/water/
  preview.weml

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The Water Table

• The water cycle affects how much water we have
  available to us
• When rain strikes the ground the water molecules
  act like magnets to the soil causing the water to
  spread outward.

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• Brain Pop Groundwater
• http//www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/ground
  water/preview.weml

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Importance of Percolation

• Gravity pulls the water down into the earth,
  dissolving salts and minerals as it moves through
  the soil ? this is percolation!
• Water eventually reaches the aquitard a layer
  that will not allow water to pass through quickly
  enough to use as a water source.

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Zones of the Water Table

• As more rain falls the layer above the aquitard
  becomes completely full with water.
• This is called the Zone of Saturation.
• The upper layer of the Zone of Saturation is the
  Water Table.
• Above the Zone of Saturation, is the Zone of
  Aeration which is found in the upper soil layers
  that hold both air and water.
• An aquifer is a large acculumlation of water in
  soil or rock.

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Zones of the Water Table
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Layers of the Water Table
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Water Table Questions

• How does the chemical structure of water affect
  how water behaves under ground?
• In general, how deep must a well be drilled in
  order to be a good source for human consumption?
  Explain why.
• Describe the difference between the Zone of
  Aeration and the Zone of Saturation?
• Could groundwater be polluted through a well? If
  so how?
• What causes the water table to rise and fall?
• Complete Questions 1 4 from the text book on
  Page 217.