Exploring Earth’s Water Resources

Map of Planet Earth

Water Covers ¾ of Planet Earth. Facts About Water

97% Oceans 2% Glaciers and Polar Ice 1% Fresh Water All the Water in the World Facts About Water

The Water Cycle The water on Earth is the same water our ancestors, and even the dinosaurs, used! Water cycle: controls the distribution of world’s water by moving and storing it in different forms Short video about the water cycle

Understanding the water cycle

Water Cycle Terms Evaporation – energy from the sun heats water, changing molecules into vapor that is released into the atmosphere Solar Radiation – energy or heat from the sun power the water cycle, causing water to change forms and move around Condensation – process of changing water from a vapor to a liquid because of a temperature change Precipitation – water released from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail Transpiration – plants take in water through their roots and release it through their leaves Run-off – precipitation that reaches the surface of the Earth but does not infiltrate into the soil Infiltration – downward movement of water from the land surface into the ground

Wrap Up Write a short paragraph describing how the water cycle works. Include the key terms that we discussed today in your story.