The Water Cycle

S4E3 Students will differentiate between the states of water and how they relate to the water cycle and weather. d. Explain the water cycle (evaporation, condensation, and precipitation). Powerpoint adapted for TCSS Created by Green Apple Lessons ClipArt by Mycutegraphics.com

Water, Water, Everywhere! Almost all of the water on the planet Earth can be found in the oceans and seas. But, water is always on the move! The Earth has only a limited amount of water, and the water keeps moving around and around. So where is it all going?

From Sky to Earth Water moves from the atmosphere in the sky, down to Earth and back up to the atmosphere again. It is an endless cycle of up and down!

Water is Changing! Remember that water is always moving on, above, or below the Earth. And as it travels, it changes it state. It can turn from liquid, to solid, to a gas! This process of moving and changing is called the water cycle!

The Water Cycle 2. Evaporation 3. Condensation The water cycle is the process of how water circulates around the Earth. There are three main parts to the water cycle: 1. Precipitation 2. Evaporation 3. Condensation

Precipitation Precipitation is just a fancy word for rain. It can also appear as sleet or snow. During precipitation, the water is leaving the sky and coming back down to Earth. Precipitation happens when the air is so full of water, it cannot hold it anymore. The rain begins to fall to the ground. You better get an umbrella!

Once the rain falls to the Earth, it begins to collect or accumulate in rivers, streams, lakes or it goes back in the ocean. Some water will be absorbed and used by plants and animals, but all of the excess water will soon be on the move again!

Evaporation Evaporation is the process of water turning into steam. What happens when you boil water? It turns from a liquid into a gas – steam. When the Sun heats up the Earth, some of the water from the rivers, lakes and oceans will turn to steam. This water vapor goes up in the air.

Condensation Once the water vapor collects in the atmosphere, it begins to change back from a gas (water vapor) into a solid. This process is called condensation, because the water is condensing, getting smaller and more dense.

Make a prediction! What will fall from the sky once the water in the atmosphere begins to condense?

The answer is rain

And it all begins again! And once precipitation falls, the cycle starts all over again!

Let’s Review Precipitation Evaporation Gas – water vapor Condensation Liquid or Solid water drops or snow Precipitation Evaporation Gas – water vapor Condensation Gas or liquid

The Water Cycle

Imagine That! The next time that you drink a glass of water, think about how old the water might truly be! Sure, it may have just come out of the water faucet. But before that, it was always moving as part of the water cycle! Click the next slide to see what might have been drinking that water before you!

A Dinosaur!

It’s all possible due to the wonderful water cycle!