THE WATER CYCLE

1
What is the Water
Cycle?
•The water cycle is the continuous movement of
water on, above and below the surface of the Earth.

•It is a never-ending process driven by the sun's

energy.

•Water constantly changes its form, going from

liquid to vapor (gas) and back again.
EVAPORATION
•The sun heats up water in oceans, lakes,
rivers, and even soil.

•As water warms, it changes from a liquid to

a gas (vapor) and enters the atmosphere.

•Plants also release water vapor through

their leaves in a process called transpiration.
CONDENSATION
•As water vapor rises in the cooler
atmosphere, it condenses.

•Condensation is the process where water

vapor changes from a gas back to a liquid.

•Tiny water droplets form around dust

particles in the air, creating clouds.
PRECIPITATION
•When enough water droplets condense in
clouds, they become too heavy to stay
suspended in the air.

•Precipitation is the process when water falls

back to the Earth's surface in different forms.

•Rain, snow, sleet, and hail are all types of

precipitation.
COLLECTION AND
INFILTRATION
•Some precipitation falls directly into oceans, lakes,
and rivers.

•This water is collected on the Earth's surface.

•Some precipitation soaks into the ground through a

process called infiltration.

•This water becomes groundwater and may eventually

seep back into rivers, lakes, or oceans.