U1L2&3 – The Water Cycle, Surface Water and Groundwater 8th Grade Water & Atmosphere (Mod F) U1L2&3 – The Water Cycle, Surface Water and Groundwater Water gets into the atmosphere in three ways: 1. evaporation liquid water turns into water vapor (gas) 90% of water in atmosphere comes from this (mostly from oceans) 2. transpiration Plants release water vapor through stomata (tiny pores on leaves) About 10% comes from this 3. sublimation Solid water (ice) turns directly into gas (water vapor) Where dry, cold air blows over ice & snow Very small amount

Water in the atmosphere does 2 things 1. condensation When temperatures lower, water vapor condenses on small particles like dust or pollen in air If drops are too small to fall, they stay as clouds 2. precipitation When droplets get too big to stay in clouds, they fall out Rain, snow, hail, etc.

Water moves on land & in oceans 1. Runoff: streams, rivers & other water that flows over earth’s surface because of gravity 2. Infiltration: water on land seeps into the ground Groundwater – water under the ground! 3. Ice flow: glaciers “rivers of ice” flow because of gravity 4. Ocean circulation: ocean currents can move water thousands of miles Surface currents and deep ocean currents

ENERGY is transported in the water cycle MATTER is transported in the water cycle Read p. 21 Water (like all matter) is not created or destroyed, it only changes form!