The Water Cycle and Weather Patterns

Front

What is the water cycle?

Back

The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below Earth's surface, changing states between solid, liquid, and gas.

Front

What drives the water cycle?

Back

Gravity and energy from the sun are the driving forces that move water between the land, the atmosphere, and the ocean.

Front

What are the primary processes of the water cycle?

Back

The primary processes are evaporation, transpiration, condensation, and precipitation.

Front

What happens during evaporation?

Back

Solar energy heats water, changing it from liquid to gas in the form of water vapor, leaving any salt behind.

Front

What is transpiration?

Back

Transpiration is the process where water evaporates from plants, mainly at the surface of leaves through stomata.

Front

What happens during condensation?

Back

Water vapor rises and cools in the atmosphere, changing from gas to liquid, forming clouds.

Front

What is deposition in the water cycle?

Back

Deposition is when water vapor changes directly from a gas to solid ice crystals.

Front

What forms clouds in the atmosphere?

Back

Liquid water droplets or solid ice crystals form on tiny particles in the air, such as dust or bacteria, creating clouds.

Front

What are the main types of precipitation?

Back

The main types are rain, sleet, snow, and hail.

Front

What factors determine the type of precipitation?

Back

The temperature within the cloud and at the Earth's surface determines the type of precipitation.