Water Cycle Vocabulary

Front

Water Cycle

Back

The Earth's water moves between lakes, rivers, oceans, the atmosphere, and the land in a continuous cycle. It can be a liquid (water), a gas (vapor), or a solid (ice).

Front

Evaporation

Back

Energy from the sun heats the Earth's surface, causing water in rivers, lakes, and oceans to rise and turn into vapor.

Front

Condensation

Back

As water vapor rises into the sky, it cools and turns back into a liquid, forming clouds. This process is called condensation. Air currents move these clouds around the globe.

Front

Precipitation

Back

When water droplets in clouds become too heavy, they fall to Earth as rain, snow, hail.

Front

Collection

Back

Fallen precipitation is collected in bodies of water like rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Front

Surface Run-off

Back

Water that flows across the ground and collects in oceans, rivers, or lakes.