By Melissa Alsip

Directions EXIT QUIZ Click this button to go to next page. Click this button to see the directions. Click this button to return to the main page. Click the button to take the quiz. Click this page to exit the lesson.

Learning Objective In this lesson we will be learning to identify the basic features of the water cycle and describe their importance to life on earth. We will also be able to recognize the major components of the water cycle. QUIZ EXIT

What is the Water Cycle? The cycle of evaporation and condensation controls the distribution of the earth’s water as it evaporates from bodies of water or land. The water evaporates, condenses, precipitates, runs- off, infiltrates, transpires, and finally returns to bodies of water or land. The water cycle is an important part of our everyday lives! With out the Water Cycle the earth could not reproduce water for us to survive! QUIZ EXIT

Diagram of the Water Cycle QUIZ EXIT

Fun Fact!! Almost all of the water on the planet has been here since the earth was formed! We may even be drinking water that Dinosaurs drank!! QUIZ EXIT

The Stages of the Water Cycle Evaporation/Transpiration Condensation Precipitation Run-off Infiltration QUIZ EXIT

Evaporation The Sun plays an important part in the water cycle, without it there would be no water cycle! The Sun causes water on the surface of oceans, rivers, lakes, and ground to evaporate in to the sky. Evaporation causes the air to cool. QUIZ EXIT

Transpiration Water is absorbed through the roots of plants and moves up through hollow tubes to the leaves. Leaves have small holes in them through which they can absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Water vapor is also lost through evaporation from the pores of the leaves. QUIZ EXIT

Condensation As the air containing the water vapor rises, it cools and the vapor begins to condense into clouds. The process of condensation releases heat back into the atmosphere moving the clouds to new locations, the heat is redistributed across the earth. The water drops on a glass can be identified as condensation. QUIZ EXIT

Precipitation Clouds can produce rain, hail, snow, or sleet. Water that falls from the atmosphere in these forms is called, Precipitation. QUIZ EXIT

Run-Off A lot of the water falling as rain can run off the ground surface either into rivers, lakes, or into the ocean. Any additional water will be forced to run over the surface as Run-Off. Nearly 40% of all precipitation flows back across the land to seas and oceans. QUIZ EXIT

Infiltration When so much water has infiltrated the ground that no more can soak in, then it is said that the ground has reached saturation point. Some of the water which infiltrates into the ground ultimately returns to the surface as springs or lakes and can also drain into river systems below the surface of the river flow. Some of the infiltration water will remain underground as Groundwater. QUIZ EXIT

The Water Cycle Rap QUIZ EXIT

Quick Review Water falls either into rivers, lakes, into the ocean or on the ground. Ground has reached saturation point. Causes the air to cool. Releases heat back into the atmosphere. Is absorbed through the roots of plants. Water that falls from the atmosphere in forms of rain, hail, snow, or sleet. QUIZ EXIT

Now that you have be come a Water Cycle Master: Lets Test Your Knowledge!! QUIZ EXIT

Question 1 Where does the energy that powers the water cycle come from? A. PlantsPlants B. AnimalsAnimals C. Electric outletsElectric D. SunSun

Sorry….Try Again!! Look for an answer that is something that provides heat.

Correct!!! The sun gives the water cycle its power.

Question 2 What is evaporation? A. Water freezesWater B. Water vapors meet cold air and changes back into liquidWater C. Water gets warm and changes from liquid water to water vaporWater D. Plants take in water from the soilPlants

Sorry….Try Again!! Think about what water becomes when it evaporates.

Correct!!! The sun warms the water and it changes the water liquid to water vapors.

Question 3 What is the correct term for moisture that falls to the ground from clouds? A. CondensationCondensation B. PrecipitationPrecipitation C. HibernationHibernation D. EvaporationEvaporation

Sorry….Try Again!! This can be in the form of rain, hail, sleet, or snow.

Correct!!! Rain, sleet, hail, or snow are all forms of precipitation.

Question 4 Which are three stages of the water cycle? A. Evaporation, condensation, precipitationEvaporation B. Condensation, precipitation, hibernationCondensation C. Precipitation, dehydration, evaporationPrecipitation D. Transpiration, dehydration, condensationTranspiration

Sorry….Try Again!! All three stages involve water.

Correct!!! Evaporation, condensation, and precipitation are all steps in the water cycle.

Question 5 What is the correct term for plants releasing water from their leaves, which then evaporates? A. EvaporationEvaporation B. PrecipitationPrecipitation C. TranspirationTranspiration D. CondensationCondensation

Sorry….Try Again!! Remember the water is taking a ride through the plant.

Correct!!! When water travels from a plants roots to its leaves and then evaporates is called transpiration.

Question 6 Rain that returns to lakes or oceans is referred to as_________. A. PrecipitationPrecipitation B. RunoffRunoff C. CondensationCondensation D. EvaporationEvaporation

Sorry….Try Again!! Think about what the water does when it rains.

Correct!!! Water returns to lakes and oceans by run-off.

Standard Grade 4 : Standard 8 - The Atmosphere Conceptual Strand 8 The earth is surrounded by an active atmosphere and energy system that controls the distribution life, local weather, climate, and global temperature. SPI Identify the basic features of the water cycle and describe their importance to life on earth. GLE Recognize the major components of the water cycle.

Work Cited NOAA Education Resources "The Hydrologic Cycle." NWS JetStream -. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 July Softschools "Water Cycle : The Water Cycle Quiz." The Water Cycle Quiz. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 July Google Images "Google Images." Google Images. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 July 2013.

Excellent Work!! You are truly a Water Cycle Master!! EXIT You have completed this task and you may exit.