Water Cycle

Day and Night

Seasons

High tide and low tide

Water Cycle

The balance of water on Earth remains constant as the water moves from one

place to another. We have the same amount of water now as has always been

present on Earth

Approximately 75% of the Earth is covered by water. Water on Earth can naturally be found in all three states of matter – solid, liquid, and gas.

The Sun provides the thermal energy (heat) needed to drive the water cycle. It all

begins with the Sun! The ocean is a large body of water where

much of the evaporation of water occurs.

Evaporation occurs when the ocean (or other body of water) absorbs heat from the

Sun and turns water into water vapor. (liquid to a gas)

Condensation occurs when water vapor in the air is cooled and becomes liquid again.

(gas to a liquid)

Condensed water in the air forms clouds.

Precipitation occurs when the air is saturated and cannot hold any more liquid.

□ Precipitation is water that falls back to the Earth in the form of rain, hail, sleet, or

snow. □ When water falls back to Earth as precipitation, some will soak into the

ground, and some will become run off -water that returns to the ocean.