S3-U7L1 Part 2- What is the water cycle?

What is the water cycle?

S3-U7L1 Part 2

EXTEND AND REFLECT

Is the Pacific Ocean an example of fresh water or salt water?

• The Pacific Ocean is an example of salt water.

Why are oceans so salty?

• Like at the Great Salt Lake, water that flows into the ocean does not flow out again.

• It only leaves the ocean by evaporating, leaving a tiny amount of salt behind each time.

DEVELOP SCIENCE VOCABULARY

How are fresh water and salt water different?

• Fresh water has lower levels of salts compared to salt water.

• Different animals have adapted to live in salt water and fresh water.

• Humans need fresh water to drink.

DEVELOP SCIENCE CONCEPTS

What is an example of a use for water?

• Water can be used for watering plants, drinking, cooking, or bathing.

EXTEND AND REFLECT

What are some animals that need water to survive?

• All animals need water to survive.

• A few examples are dolphins, fish, cats, dogs, and cattle.

Why is conserving water important?

• Conserving water is important because we could not survive without water.

EXTEND AND REFLECT

If water never disappears but only changes from one state to another, why would we need to conserve it?

• Even though water never disappears, pollution and overuse of water can make clean, fresh water unavailable in some areas for long periods of time.

DEVELOP SCIENCE CONCEPTS

How can plants play a role in the water cycle?

• Plants take in water through their roots, and later release water vapor from their leaves.

EVELOP SCIENCE VOCABULARY

What is precipitation?

• Precipitation is another word for rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

EVALUATE

What is the energy source that drives the water cycle?

• The sun provides the energy that drives the water cycle.

DEVELOP SCIENCE CONCEPTS

What is required for water to change state?

• Water requires a loss or gain of heat energy to change state.

EXTEND AND REFLECT

How is rain important to the water cycle?

• Rain is an important part of the water cycle because it transfers water from the clouds to Earth’s surface.

• The water then remains as surface water, moves underground, or evaporates back into the air as water vapor.

EXTEND AND REFLECT

What can you do to make your hair dry faster after you take a shower, besides using a towel?

• You can use a blow dryer or go out into the sun to heat up the water in your hair so that it evaporates more quickly. 

What causes a puddle of water to dry on the sidewalk?

• The puddle of water is being warmed by the sun and begins to evaporate when the water gains enough heat energy to turn to water vapor.

Where does the water come from that forms on the bathroom mirror when you take a hot shower?

• The water that forms on the bathroom mirror when you take a hot shower comes from water vapor in the air.

• Some of the hot shower water evaporates into water vapor.

• When the warm, humid air from the shower hits the cold mirror, water vapor loses energy and condenses into liquid water.

EVALUATE

Why is conserving water important?

• Your body needs water to survive. Water makes up part of our blood, carries nutrients to cells, and flushes waste from our system. Plants and animals also need water.

What is one way that your city can encourage water conservation?

• Sometimes cities ration water. That is, they use water conserving methods such as only allowing lawn watering on certain days.

• Some cities also charge more on your water bill if you use over a certain amount of water each month.

What is one way that you can conserve water at home?

• You can grow plants that require less water to grow, or that are adapted to grow to the amount of rain that falls in your region.

• You can use low-flush toilets. You can take quick showers instead of baths.

Lesson 1 Complete