The Water Cycle

The Water Cycle


The Water Cycle is the journey water takes as it circles from the land to the sky and back again. The sun's heat provides energy to evaporate water from the Earth's surface (oceans, lakes, etc). Plants also lose water to the air. This process is called transpiration. The water vapour eventually condenses, forming tiny droplets in clouds.

When the clouds meet cool air over land, a process called precipitation occurs, and water returns to the land (or sea). Some precipitation soaks into the ground. Some of the underground water is trapped between rock or clay layers. This is called ground water. Most of the water flows down hill as run off, which eventually returns to the sea.

Evaluation 1.

A. Complete this short quiz.
B