The Sun’s Role in the Water Cycle Why is the Sun so important?

Evaporation The Sun heats the water causing a change from the liquid state of matter to the gaseous state of matter. (water to water vapor) Venegas, A. (Photographer) (2012). Fog [Print]. Dobson, B. (Photographer) (2012). Fog [Print]. Stradley, L. (Photographer) (2012). Water vapor [Print].

Condensation After the Sun has caused the water to evaporate, the water droplets condense into water drops. The water drops condense further in the clouds. You can also see condensation on the outside of your glass during the summer. The Sun warms the air. The warm air (which contains water vapor) hits the side of the cold glass and condenses into water drops. Venegas, A. (Photographer) (2012). Clouds [Print]. Venegas, A. (Photographer) (2012). Condensation [Print].

Precipitation After the Sun has caused the water to evaporate, the water droplets condense into water drops. The water drops condense further. When they get heavy enough, the drops fall to the Earth as precipitation, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Microsoft. (Designer). (2010). Sun in sky [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/. Microsoft. (Designer). (2010). Water drops [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/.

Accumulation When water accumulates, such as in rivers, streams, lakes and oceans, the Sun heats the water, causing the water to change from liquid to a gas and evaporate. Venegas, A. (Photographer) (2012). River in Washington [Print].

What is the Sun’s role in the weather? The Sun heats the Earth unevenly. The difference between the hot areas and colder areas keeps the air moving (circulating). The moving of the cold and warm air changes the air pressure. The moving air and changing air pressure creates wind. The Sun also contributes to the evaporation of water, which then condenses, and eventually falls back to the Earth in the form of precipitation. Venegas, A. (Photographer) (2012). Oregon Beach [Print]. Venegas, A. (Photographer) (2012). Sand in S. California [Print].

The Sun is the energy source that causes water to circulate in nature. The Sun heats water on Earth which then evaporates into the atmosphere.