The Water Cycle

rocky beach on a lake

Condensation

condensation on the outside of a bottle

When you go outside in the morning, is the grass wet? Is there water on your car? How did this water get there if it did not rain? The air all around you contains water vapor. This water vapor is everywhere! When this water vapor cools on an object, we get condensation. Basically, the water vapor in the air, a gas, turns into a liquid. It happens all the time when you get a glass of ice water. Does the glass get little drops of water on the outside of the glass? The water vapor in the air touches the cold glass and condenses. Water vapor in the air condenses in the atmpsphere to form clouds.

Evaporation

sunrise in a forest

Have you ever played in a puddle after a rain storm? Was that puddle there the next time you went out to play? Where did the puddle go? When the sun came out, the sun heated the water in the puddle causing it to evaporate. The water in the puddle changes from a liquid to a gas. This gas is called water vapor. Evaporation is a slow process. Fill a glass with 1/2 cup of water in your house. Leave it on the counter for 3-4 days. Each day you will notice the water goes down a bit. By day 3 or 4 your glass is empty. Where did the water go? It evaporated. If you place a glass of water in a sunny window or turn on a ceiling fan, it will evaporate even faster! Water in streams, rivers, lakes and oceans evaporate in to the air everyday.

Precipitation

rain hitting the surface of a lake

Precipitaion is water that falls from the atmpsphere. It falls in the form of rain, snow, sleet or hail. Rain is a liquid and falls when the temperature outside is above freezing. Snow falls when the temperature is below freezing. Snow is in the shape of crystals and it is said that no two snowflakes look alike. We get hail and sleet when we get a combination of above and below freezing temperatures together. The rain and snow that falls from the atmosphere waters the plants on Earth and provides a drink for wildlife.

Runoff and Groundwater

two cats getting a drink out of a puddle

When it rains, where does all that water go? The rain flows over the surface of the Earth into lakes, streams, rivers, and oceans is called runoff. Some of the water is absorbed into the ground and is called groundwater. This groundwater is filtered by the dirt, sand and rocks as it travels deeper into the Earth's crust. It then collects in deep underground caves called aquifers. People who live in rural areas get there water from these underground water sources by drilling a well.

Quick Check - copy responses in your notebook or take the Google Quiz below.

  1. The water _______________ is a continual process.
  2. When water changes from a liquid to a gas it is called ____________.
  3. Frozen water that falls from the atmosphere is called _________, ________, and ________.
  4. When does it rain? Explain why?
  5. Name the 3 forms of water.
  6. How can you get condensation to form in your house?
  7. What is water called that goes into the ground?
  8. Name 4 places water collects after it rains.
  9. Does the water cycle ever stop? Why or why not?
  10. Explain how clouds form.

Fun Sites for Water Cycle Games and Activities


Water Cycle Animation

Weebly Interactives

Precipitation Education by NASA

Water Cycle Activities

Water Cycle Games and Activities

Brainpop- Water Cycle


Written by D. Hankins