The Water Cycle The Water Cycle is the movement of water between the atmosphere, land, oceans, and living things Energy from the sun drives the water cycle
Absorbing energy Water absorbs energy from its surroundings when it heats up When the water absorbs energy, the molecules begin to move faster Melting (S to L) Evaporation (L to G) Sublimation (S to G)
Releasing energy When water cools down, it releases energy to its surroundings Molecules slow down Condensation (G to L) Freezing (L to S) Deposition (G to S)
Changes of State (S & L) Melting: solid to liquid Freezing: liquid to solid
Changes of State (L & G) Evaporation: liquid to gas Condensation: gas to liquid
Changes of State (S & G) Sublimation: solid to gas Deposition: gas to solid
Plants and the Water Cycle Transpiration: evaporation of water from plants Absorption: plants take in water through their roots Capillary Action Photosynthesis
Water Cycle Processes Runoff: when water flows downhill on Earth’s surface Infiltration: water on land seeps into the ground and becomes groundwater Excretion: animals eliminate water