The Water CycleThe Water Cycle

By Christine WardBy Christine Ward

The Water CycleThe Water CycleWater never leaves the Earth. It is Water never leaves the Earth. It is

constantly being cycled through the constantly being cycled through the atmosphere, ocean, and land. This process, atmosphere, ocean, and land. This process,

known as the known as the water cyclewater cycle, is driven by , is driven by energy from the sun. The water cycle is energy from the sun. The water cycle is

crucial to the existence of life on our planet. crucial to the existence of life on our planet.

The Water CycleThe Water Cycle

EvaporationDuring this part of the water cycle, the During this part of the water cycle, the sun heats up (adds or provides energy) sun heats up (adds or provides energy) liquid water and changes it to a gas by liquid water and changes it to a gas by

the process of evaporation. Water the process of evaporation. Water evaporates from Earth’s oceans, lakes, evaporates from Earth’s oceans, lakes, rivers, and moist soil and rises up into rivers, and moist soil and rises up into

the atmosphere.the atmosphere.

The Water CycleThe Water Cycle

The process of evaporation from The process of evaporation from plants is called plants is called transpirationtranspiration. (In . (In

other words, it’s like plants sweating.)other words, it’s like plants sweating.)

TranspirationTranspiration

The Water CycleThe Water Cycle

CondensationAs water (in the form of gas) rises As water (in the form of gas) rises

higher in the atmosphere, it starts to higher in the atmosphere, it starts to cool and become a liquid again. This cool and become a liquid again. This

process is called process is called condensationcondensation. When a . When a large amount of water vapor condenses, large amount of water vapor condenses,

it results in the formation of clouds.it results in the formation of clouds.

The Water CycleThe Water Cycle

PrecipitationWhen the water in the clouds gets too When the water in the clouds gets too

heavy, the water falls back to the heavy, the water falls back to the earth. This is called earth. This is called precipitation.precipitation.

The Water CycleThe Water Cycle

RunoffWhen rain falls on the land, some of the water When rain falls on the land, some of the water is absorbed into the ground forming pockets is absorbed into the ground forming pockets

of water called groundwater. Most of water called groundwater. Most groundwater eventually returns to the ocean. groundwater eventually returns to the ocean. Other precipitation runs directly into streams Other precipitation runs directly into streams

or rivers. Water that collects in rivers, or rivers. Water that collects in rivers, streams, and oceans is called runoff.streams, and oceans is called runoff.

The Water CycleThe Water Cycle

collection

CollectionCollectionCollection is the process in which Collection is the process in which

water gathers in rivers, streams, lakes, water gathers in rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans.and oceans.

Let’s Review Each Step…Let’s Review Each Step…

Collection

ALL DONE? Let’s Do an Exit ALL DONE? Let’s Do an Exit Ticket!Ticket!