The Water Cycle

What is the Water Cycle? Controls the distribution of Earth’s water Controls the distribution of Earth’s water Describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth Describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth Has no starting point Has no starting point Water is always changing states Water is always changing states

Parts of the Water Cycle Evaporation Evaporation Transpiration Transpiration Condensation Condensation Precipitation Precipitation Infiltration Surface Runoff Groundwater Absorption

Evaporation Change from liquid to gas (vapor) Change from liquid to gas (vapor) Includes vaporization from: Includes vaporization from: Water surfaces Water surfaces Land surfaces Land surfaces Snow fields Snow fields

Transpiration Water absorbed by plants is evaporated Water absorbed by plants is evaporated Water is absorbed through roots Water is absorbed through roots Evaporated from the plant surface (leaves) Evaporated from the plant surface (leaves) nleafsoil.jpg

Condensation Change from gas to liquid Change from gas to liquid Opposite of evaporation Opposite of evaporation Example of condensation: Example of condensation: Cold glass, hot day Cold glass, hot day 824_54ed44d010_m.jpg

Precipitation Any water falling to Earth’s surface Any water falling to Earth’s surface Examples: Examples: Rain Rain Snow Snow Sleet Sleet Hail Hail Dew Dew Frost Frost

Infiltration Ground water soaking into the soil Ground water soaking into the soil From the soil: From the soil: Soaked up by roots Soaked up by roots Becomes ground water Becomes ground water

Surface Runoff Precipitation runoff over the landscape Precipitation runoff over the landscape Occurs when: Occurs when: Water falling on ground > infiltration rate Water falling on ground > infiltration rate

Groundwater Water located below the ground’s surface Water located below the ground’s surface Consider this: Consider this: Digging in sand close to ocean Digging in sand close to ocean Water that appears is groundwater Water that appears is groundwater

Absorption Roots removing water from soil Roots removing water from soil Example: Example: Sponge and water Sponge and water