The Water Cycle

Water has been around for MANY years

Water gets recycled over and over again Image courtesy of US Environmental Protection Agency

What is the Water Cycle? Transpiration Evaporation Condensation Precipitation Accumulation

This is the water cycle! precipitation evaporation accumulation transpiration condensation

“Transpiration” the evaporation of water from plants

“Transpiration” Do plants really sweat? Plants like me release water to supply photosynthesis, bring minerals up from the roots, and cool ourselves off.

Transpiration Transpiration is the process by which plants lose water out of their leaves. Transpiration gives evaporation a bit of a hand in getting the water vapor back up into the air.

“Evaporation” The conversion of water from a liquid to a gas Solar energy drives evaporation of water from the ocean. The evaporated water changes from a liquid form into water vapor a gaseous form.

Evaporation Heat energy from the sun causes water in puddles, streams, rivers, seas or lakes to change from a liquid to a water vapor. This is called evaporation. The vapor rises into the air and collects in clouds.

“Condensation” The transformation of water vapor back into liquid water by cooling Evaporated water is warmed and rises into the air where it eventually cools and condenses to form clouds.

Condensation Water vapor collects in clouds. As the clouds cool the water vapor condenses into water drops. This is called condensation. These drops fall to the earth as rain, snow or hail.

“Precipitation” Rain, hail, or snow falling from the clouds due to the condensation of water With enough condensed water, you get rain! When clouds become very heavy with condensed water, the water is released in the form of rain, hail, or snow.

Precipitation Water falls to the earth from clouds. Mainly as rain, but sometimes as snow and hail. This is called precipitation.

“Accumulation” The collection of precipitation into rivers, lakes, and oceans. This completes the water cycle!

This is the water cycle! precipitation evaporation accumulation transpiration condensation

Let’s Review

Evaporation The vapor rises Condensation The Clouds form Precipitation The rain falls Transpiration The movement through plants