The Water Cycle Vocabulary

Learning Goal After reading this presentation, summarizing and labeling a diagram, you should be able to define and explain the following terms: evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, groundwater, and runoff. I have to know ALL THOSE??!!?

Directions Read each slide. Complete each definition on your Water Cycle. YOU WILL HAVE TO RESTATE WHAT IS ON THE SLIDE IN YOUR OWN WORDS!

The Water Cycle Definition A set of processes in which water circulates between the earth’s oceans, atmosphere, and land. This includes precipitation, draining in streams and rivers, and returning to the air by evaporation and transpiration.

The Water Cycle Extra info just to read! Water never leaves the Earth. It is constantly being cycled through the atmosphere, ocean, and land. The water cycle is driven by the sun’s energy.

Look at this diagram to see how water moves from earth to atmosphere and back. Then GO ON TO THE NEXT SLIDES to read and take notes.

The Water Cycle - Evaporation

During part of the water cycle, the sun heats up liquid water and changes it to a gas by the process of evaporation. The water rises up into the atmosphere.

Transpiration

The process of evaporation from plants is called transpiration The process of evaporation from plants is called transpiration. (In other words, it’s like plants sweating.)

Condensation

As water (in the form of gas) rises higher in the atmosphere, it starts to cool and become a liquid again. This process is called condensation. When a large amount of water vapor condenses, it results in the formation of clouds.

Precipitation

When the water in the clouds gets too heavy, the water falls back to the earth as rain, snow, or hail. This is called precipitation.

Runoff

When rain falls on the land, some of the water is absorbed into the ground forming pockets of water called groundwater. Most groundwater eventually returns to the ocean. Other precipitation runs directly into streams or rivers. Water that collects in rivers, streams, and oceans is called runoff.

Infiltration Infiltration is the process where precipitation or water soaks into soil and moves into rocks through cracks and pore spaces. Most rainwater and snow end up infiltrated into the ground.

Yet another diagram of the Water Cycle!

Create a diagram of the water cycle. Must be colored Neat illustration Must include these labels: Sun, evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, groundwater, runoff