The Water Cycle

Water Cycle

Precipitation When cloud particles become too heavy to remain suspended in the air, they fall to the earth as precipitation.

What are some different types of precipitation?

Infiltration Infiltration is when the water enters into the soil from ground level

Ground-Water Storage Most of the water in the ground comes from precipitation that infiltrates downward from the land surface Large amounts of water are stored in the ground.

Storage in Ice and Snow Water is stored in ice, snow, and glaciers. Sometimes days, sometimes thousands of years.

Snowmelt Runoff Snowmelt runoff is a major component in the water cycle.

Water Storage in Oceans The water in the oceans is saltwater, it contains significant amounts of dissolved salts 96.5% of the world’s water comes from the ocean

Where can water be stored? What are some ways it can get there?

Water Storage in the Atmosphere There is always water in the atmosphere. How does the water get into the atmosphere?

Evaporation *Evaporation is the process by which water is converted from its liquid form to its vapor form. *This happens when the sun heats the water.

Evapotranspiration Evapotranspiration is the water evaporated into the atmosphere from the ground surface in the form of plants and their leaves

What are two ways that water gets into the atmosphere?

Condensation *Condensation is the change of water vapor into liquid water. *This is crucial because it is responsible for the formation of clouds.

After water vapor condenses into clouds, what would the next step be in the water cycle?

When does the water cycle end?

NEVER ! ! ! But . . . One full cycle can takes thousands of years