Water and Weather: Evaporation and Condensation Second Grade Science Weather & Water Unit Lesson 2 Second Grade Science Weather & Water Unit Lesson 2

In the last lesson, we talked about patterns and cycles. A cycle is an event that repeats. A pattern is a thing that repeats. In the last lesson, we talked about patterns and cycles. A cycle is an event that repeats. A pattern is a thing that repeats.

The Water Cycle Water goes through a cycle. Here’s what happens in the water cycle. Water goes through a cycle. Here’s what happens in the water cycle.

Step 1 Water starts in an ocean, a lake, a river or even a puddle.

Step 2 The sun heats up the water and causes it to evaporate. While most times you can’t see the water vapor in the air, it’s there. You can see water vapor in a rainbow. Water turning into vapor is called evaporation. The sun heats up the water and causes it to evaporate. While most times you can’t see the water vapor in the air, it’s there. You can see water vapor in a rainbow. Water turning into vapor is called evaporation.

Step 3 When the water cools down, it groups together to form clouds. When water groups together, that’s called condensation. When the water cools down, it groups together to form clouds. When water groups together, that’s called condensation.

Step 4 When the clouds get too heavy, they have to get rid of some of the water inside them. When that happens, it causes rain, snow, sleet, or hail. When water falls to the ground from the sky, that’s called precipitation. When the clouds get too heavy, they have to get rid of some of the water inside them. When that happens, it causes rain, snow, sleet, or hail. When water falls to the ground from the sky, that’s called precipitation.

Step 5 Sometimes the rain will run back into a lake. Sometimes the rain goes right into the lake. Sometimes the rain leaves puddles. This starts the water cycle all over again. Sometimes the rain will run back into a lake. Sometimes the rain goes right into the lake. Sometimes the rain leaves puddles. This starts the water cycle all over again.

What did you learn? When water changes from water in a lake to vapor in the sky, what is that called?

If you guessed evaporation, you’re right!

When the clouds get too heavy and let go of water, that is called ___________.

If you guessed precipitation, you were right! If you guessed rain or snow, those are types of precipitation. If you guessed precipitation, you were right! If you guessed rain or snow, those are types of precipitation.

When water groups together, it’s called ____________.

If you guessed condensation, you were right!

All of the water that is on planet Earth has been here since the very beginning. We never get a new supply of water. The water just keeps going through the water cycle. All of the water that is on planet Earth has been here since the very beginning. We never get a new supply of water. The water just keeps going through the water cycle.

Credits All photos © Tammi Gearhart