Science Lesson GOAL: TO UNDERSTAND TERMS RELATED TO THE WATER CYCLE!

Water Cycle  Definition: the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.  Example: Every time it rains!!!!

Bedrock  Definition: The hard solid rock under the surface of the Earth.  Example: a large area in the ground that is covered in rock

Sediments  Definition: Sediments are made up of small loose rocks and parts of clay made by the weathering of rocks and soil (rain and snow hitting rocks).  Example: small rocks below large rocks

Consolidated Rock  Definition: solid and tightly bound rock  Example: A large boulder!!

Unconsolidated Rock  Definition: When the weather breaks large rock into smaller ones.  Example: rocks at the bottom of a hill

Particles  Definition: a small part of something that is bigger  Example: dirt

Zone of Saturation  Definition: - The ground below the water table that is totally soaked.  Example: in the middle of a lake or stream

Aquifer  Definition: a deposit of rock such as sandstone, containing water that can be used to supply wells.  Example: a well located at a house in CT

Water Table  Definition: The top of the water surface in the saturated part of an aquifer. Line between wet and dry soil  Example: the surface of a lake

Percolation  Definition: the draining of water through a permeable surface  Example: water soaking through small rocks and then turning into runoff

Permeable  Definition: Allowing liquids or gasses to pass through.  Example: water flowing through a rock with small holes

Cold Air  Definition: helps form tiny water droplets when water vapor cools (condensation)  Example: helps condensation take place in a cloud

Condensation Definition: Water vapor cools and turns from a gas into a liquid. Example: water drops forming on a glass jar that has water in the bottom and a top on the top edge of the jar.

Evaporation  Definition: Water changes from a liquid to a gas (caused by heat)  Example: the water in the ocean continues to flow because it literally continues to recycle its own water!!

Runoff  Definition: precipitation that did not get (infiltrated) absorbed into the soil, or did not evaporate, and therefore made its way from the ground surface into places that water collect.  Example: water flowing down a mountain and into a lake (see picture)

 Definition: Vapor is water in a gas form.  Example: Vapor rises from a lake after it has been heated by the sun. Water Vapor

 Definition: The process of a solid changing to a gas without ever changing into a liquid.  Example: Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide and instead of melting into a liquid releases gas into the air. Sublimation

 Definition: Water droplets collect around dust to form clouds.  Example: Small particles in the air (dust) help create clouds as water vapor attaches to the dust and condensation (liquid water) occurs. Dust

 Definition: The sun provides the energy for the water cycle.  Example: The sun gives water heat so evaporation can occur. Sun

 Definition: Heat from the sun causes evaporation.  Example: Water vapor rises after it has been heated. Heat

Transpiration  Definition: water given off from trees  Example: water given off from an Oak Tree

Precipitation  Definition: rain, snow, sleet, or hail  Example: when it rains

Collection Point  Definition: Water locations that collect water runoff such as lakes, rivers, streams, and oceans.  Example: Water collecting in a pond

Ground Water  Defintion: Water located under the Earth’s surface.  Example: Water at the bottom of the ocean.

Vegetation  Definition: plants and trees in a given location  Example: Palm Trees on the beach in Key West, Florida

Absorption  Definition: water absorbed by plant roots  Example: water soaking into plant roots absorption

Consumption  Definition: animals or plants drinking water  Example: zebras drinking water

Perspiration  Definition: a salty, watery fluid secreted by the sweat glands of the skin, especially when very warm as a result of strenuous exertion; sweat  Example: a young lady sweats (water on their skin) after playing a basketball game

Excretion  Definition: The act or process of discharging (getting rid of) waste from the blood, tissues, or organs.  Example: urine or sweat is excreted from the body