Water Cycle

Sun warms ocean water causing it to EVAPORATE. Water vapor CONDENSES to form clouds. Clouds become very heavy before beginning to PRECIPITATE. Precipitation collects in rivers, lakes, and oceans. The sun warms ocean water…

EvaporationThe vapor rises

CondensationThe Clouds form

PrecipitationThe rain falls

TranspirationThe movement through plants

Source of Energy

The Sun

The sun’s energy is necessary to power the water cycle.

Evaporation

Evaporation

The sun warms the water in the ocean, causing it to change from water (liquid) to water vapor (gas).

Condensation

Condensation

Once the warm gas hits the cooler air it changes back into a liquid and forms a cloud.

Precipitation

Tiny water droplets bounce around in the cloud. As they hit each other, they stick together and become larger.

Precipitation

Once they become so heavy, the cloud can no longer hold them. It begins to precipitate.

Precipitation can be:

• Rain• Snow• Sleet• Hail

Precipitation collects in:

• Rivers• Lakes• Oceans

Transpiration

Transpiration

The process by which water absorbed by plants (usually through the roots) is evaporated into the atmosphere from the plant surface (principally from the leaves).

Then what? Right! It starts all over again! That is why it is called a cycle.

Sun warms ocean water causing it to EVAPORATE. Water vapor CONDENSES to form clouds. Clouds become very heavy before beginning to PRECIPITATE. Precipitation collects in rivers, lakes, and oceans. The sun warms ocean water…

Evaporation Experiment

Directions

Partly fill the plastic cups with water so that they both have the same level of water. Mark the levels with the marker. Seal one of the cups with plastic wrap. Leave it for a day. Look at both cups and mark where the water levels are. Do this for a few more days, marking the levels each day and noting any change. Your child will notice that the water level goes down in the cup that has no cover. Where does the water go? Talk about the water disappearing and explain what evaporation is.

Materials

1. 2 clear plastic cups 2. Felt marker 3. Clear plastic wrap 4. Water