Water Cycle Vocabulary

Front

What is evaporation?

Back

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

Front

What is condensation?

Back

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

Front

What is precipitation?

Back

Precipitation is any form of water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface, including rain, snow, sleet, and hail.

Front

What role does the sun play in the water cycle?

Back

The sun provides energy that heats water, causing evaporation to occur.

Front

What is runoff?

Back

Runoff is water that flows over the ground surface and returns to bodies of water after precipitation.

Front

What is groundwater?

Back

Groundwater is water that seeps into the ground and fills the spaces in soil and rock.

Front

Why is the ocean important in the water cycle?

Back

The ocean provides most of the water for the water cycle through evaporation.

Front

What happens to water after it precipitates?

Back

After precipitation, water can become groundwater, runoff, or collect in bodies of water.

Front

What is the water cycle?

Back

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

Front

What is the difference between evaporation and transpiration?

Back

Evaporation is the process of water turning into vapor from surfaces, while transpiration is the release of water vapor from plants.