The Water Cycle Section 1-3 Pages

I wonder… Is it possible that a drop of water that landed on your sidewalk yesterday is the same drop that fell on a stegosaurus long ago?

Water Cycle The water cycle is the continuous process by which water moves through the living and nonliving parts of the environment. The water cycle is the continuous process by which water moves through the living and nonliving parts of the environment. Water is naturally recycled through the water cycle. Water is naturally recycled through the water cycle. Water moves continuously; there is no real beginning or end. Water moves continuously; there is no real beginning or end.

Water Cycle In the water cycle, water moves from bodies of water, land, and living things on Earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back to Earth’s surface. In the water cycle, water moves from bodies of water, land, and living things on Earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back to Earth’s surface.

Water Cycle What is the driving force behind the water cycle? What is the driving force behind the water cycle? The sun is the source of energy that drives the water cycle. The sun is the source of energy that drives the water cycle.

Evaporation Large amounts of water evaporate constantly from the surfaces of oceans and large lakes (salt gets left behind). Large amounts of water evaporate constantly from the surfaces of oceans and large lakes (salt gets left behind). Small amounts evaporate from soil, puddles, and your skin. Small amounts evaporate from soil, puddles, and your skin.

A significant amount of water is given off by plants. Plants draw in water from the soil through their roots. Eventually the water is given off through the leaves as water vapor. This is called transpiration. A significant amount of water is given off by plants. Plants draw in water from the soil through their roots. Eventually the water is given off through the leaves as water vapor. This is called transpiration.

Clouds Form Once a water molecule finds its way into the atmosphere (as water vapor), it eventually condenses into liquid water forming clouds. Once a water molecule finds its way into the atmosphere (as water vapor), it eventually condenses into liquid water forming clouds.

Blame it on the Rain What goes up must eventually come down. What goes up must eventually come down. Water that falls to Earth as rain, snow, hail, or sleet is called precipitation. Water that falls to Earth as rain, snow, hail, or sleet is called precipitation.

What happens to precipitation? Most falls directly into the ocean Most falls directly into the ocean Some falls on land and then it might… Some falls on land and then it might… run off the land into rivers and lakes run off the land into rivers and lakes seep into the ground seep into the ground Animals may drink it, then release as a waste product. Animals may drink it, then release as a waste product. Plants use water to grow and produce food. Plants use water to grow and produce food.

A Global Process For millions of years, the total amount of water on Earth has remained fairly constant. For millions of years, the total amount of water on Earth has remained fairly constant. The worldwide amounts of evaporation and precipitation balance each other. The worldwide amounts of evaporation and precipitation balance each other.

Words Worth Knowing (ISN #39) Transpiration Transpiration Precipitation Precipitation