The Water Cycle

1. The Water Cycle Mr. Onishi July 31, 2006

2. How old is a glass of water? • The earth’s water is always on the move. • It is recycled over and over between the land and the sky. • This natural process is called the water cycle

3. Stages of The Water Cycle The water cycle has 4 different stages: • Evaporation and Transpiration • Condensation • Precipitation • Collection

4. Evaporation and Transpiration Evaporation • When the sun heats up the rivers, lakes, and oceans the water turns into steam or vapor and goes up into the air. Transpiration • Just as people sweat when they get hot, plants can also lose water through their leaves. This water turns to vapor and goes up into the air.

5. Condensation • As the water vapor rises up into the air it becomes colder. • When the water cools, it changes back into a liquid and forms clouds in the sky. • This process is called condensation. • Have you ever seen drops of water form on the outside of a cold soda can? • This is also condensation!

6. Precipitation • Precipitation occurs when there is so much water in the air that it can no longer hold it. • The clouds get so heavy that they drop the water back to the earth. • When this happens, we see precipitation in the form of rain, snow, hail or sleet.

7. Collection • Collection occurs when the water falls back to the earth and ends up in the oceans, rivers, and lakes. • If the water falls on land, the earth can soak up the water for plant and animals to use, or it can run off the land into the lakes, rivers, or oceans. • Then… the water cycle starts all over again!

8. The Water Cycle

9. Vocabulary Review • Evaporation The sun turns water into vapor that goes up into the air. • Transpiration Plants can lose water through their leaves. The water turns to vapor and rises up into the air. • Condensation As water rises up into the air, it changes back into a liquid and forms clouds. • Precipitation The clouds get too heavy and drop water back to the earth as rain or snow. • Collection The water that falls back to the earth ends up in the oceans, lakes, and rivers. • The Water Cycle The natural way the earth moves water between the land and the sky.

10. Water Cycle Activities from the Internet • Water Cycle worksheet - Print a copy of this worksheet and label the stages of the water cycle. • Water Cycle cartoon - Watch a cartoon where you control the water cycle. • Water Cycle game - Help Droplet find his way back to his home in the clouds by taking him through the water cycle.