Water Cycle

The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.

Evaporation is the process where water changes from a liquid to a gas, usually due to heat from the sun.

Condensation is the process where water vapor cools and changes back into liquid water, forming clouds.

Precipitation is any form of water that falls from clouds to the ground, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

The sun provides the energy needed for evaporation to occur, starting the water cycle.

Dew is water droplets that form on cool surfaces at night, a form of condensation.

Transpiration is the process where plants release water vapor into the air from their leaves.

Clouds are made of tiny water droplets or ice crystals that form when water vapor condenses in the atmosphere.

The first stage of the water cycle is evaporation.

Water evaporates, condenses to form clouds, and then falls back to Earth as precipitation.