Water Cycle Vocabulary

Front

What is surface runoff?

Back

Surface runoff is rain, melting snow, or other water that flows in streams, rivers, or canals.

Front

What is groundwater?

Back

Groundwater is the freshwater under the earth’s surface.

Front

How are clouds formed?

Back

Clouds in the sky are formed by condensing water.

Front

What is the water cycle?

Back

The movement of water from earth’s surface into the air and back to the surface again is called the water cycle.

Front

What powers the water cycle?

Back

The water cycle is powered by the heat from the Sun.

Front

What is evaporation?

Back

Evaporation is the process where water changes from liquid to gas and enters the atmosphere.

Front

What is condensation?

Back

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

Front

What is precipitation?

Back

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

Front

What is the role of the Sun in the water cycle?

Back

The Sun provides the heat necessary for evaporation, which drives the water cycle.

Front

What is a watershed?

Back

A watershed is an area of land where all the water that falls drains into a common body of water.