States of Water & the Water Cycle

States of Water

&

The Water Cycle

Open Ended

How do you use water everyday?

Usually when we think of water, we think of liquid water.

• Like what you drink, shower in, wash the dishes with, etc.

BUT...

Water actually comes in 3 different forms.

Can you name them?

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States of Water

Water can be a solid, like ice cubes in your freezer.

Solid

​Water can be a liquid, like the water from your sink.

Liquid

​Water can be a gas, like the steam created by a hot shower.

​​Gas

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The majority of water on Earth is in liquid form in our oceans, rivers, lakes, rain, and groundwater.

How do you think water gets into the ground?

When it rains or when ice or snow melts, the soil absorbs the water and stores it in small spaces between rocks and soil particles. This water is called groundwater.

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​Groundwater

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Water in solid form is found on Earth as ice, glaciers, or snowpack.

All of the examples of solid water are cold. Why do you think that is?

When water molecules cool down, they slow down and can form solid crystals like ice and snow as they freeze. This process is called crystallization.

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Water in gas form is found as water vapor in Earth’s atmosphere (the air).

Puddles on the ground disappear on a hot day. Where does the water go?

The surface of the water heats up and evaporates into a gas (water vapor).

The Journey of Water

Water is constantly moving between the atmosphere, oceans, and land in a process called the water cycle.

Water moves through different stages in the water cycle, but it never disappears completely. Instead, the water is recycled again and again.

Poll

How familiar are you with the water cycle?

• Never heard of it.

• I know I've heard of it and can tell you a little about it.

• I can remember most things about it and can list most of the steps.

• I'm an expert at it; I could tell you all about it.

The Water Cycle Defined...

The water cycle is the process of water continuously moving between air, ocean, and land.

• It changes between states (liquid, solid, and gas).

• It is affected by the force of gravity and the heat of the sun.

• It goes through different stages.

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​As water moves through the water cycle, it does all of the following:

​Now, let's take a closer look at each stage in the water cycle.

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Evaporation is the process by which a liquid heats up and turns into a gas.

Can you think of an example of evaporation?

• The sun heats the water on the ocean's surface. As it heats up, the water evaporates into water vapor.

• Rain puddles "disappear" on a hot day.

• Your hair "air dries" after your shower.

• Wet clothes dry on a clothes line outside.

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Evaporation Examples

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Condensation is the process by which a gas cools and turns into a liquid.

Can you think of an example of condensation?

• Water vapor in the air cools and condenses into clouds. A cloud is a bunch of water drops or ice crystals close together and suspended in the air.

• Dew collects on the grass from moisture in the air condensing.

• Your bathroom mirror fogs up after a hot shower.

• Water droplets form on the outside of your cold drink.

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Condensation Examples

​Sublimation is the process by which frozen water (ice or snow) turns directly into water vapor (a gas) without melting.

​For example, the south face of Mount Everest gets intense sunlight and strong winds that cause snow to sublimate into water vapor.

​Transpiration is the process by which plant leaves release water vapor (a gas) into the air.

​For example, an ivy plant absorbs water through its plant roots. The water moves up through the stems and into the leaves. Then tiny holes in the leaves transpire water vapor into the atmosphere.

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Precipitation is the process by which water in any form falls to Earth.

There are 4 types; can you name them?

​​Rain

Snow

​​Sleet

​​Hail

Types of Precipitation

Multiple Choice

John covered the leaves of an outdoor plant with a clear, plastic bag. He then tied the bag shut around the stem of the plant. At the end of the day, he observed that the inside of the plastic bag was covered with moisture and was difficult to see through, as shown in the image.

What caused the inside of the plastic bag to become covered with moisture?

• The Sun condensed the water that was trapped in the air when the bag was tied on the plant.

• The stem of the plant was unable to absorb water in the air because the bag was tied to it.

• Water vapor transpired from the leaves of the plant and became trapped in the bag.

• Water from the air seeped into the bag and became trapped on the inner surface.

Multiple Choice

What is the main source of groundwater?

• precipitation falling into man-made wells

• saltwater flowing into fault lines at the ocean floor

• morning dew collecting on the surface of shrubs and grasses

• precipitation seeping through pores and cracks in the ground

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the process used by plants to release excess water into the atmosphere?

• perspiration

• condensation

• transpiration

• precipitation

Multiple Choice

As part of the water cycle, water from Earth's surface enters the clouds and finally falls back to the ground in the form of rain.

What is the correct sequence of processes water undergoes?

• evaporation $$\rightarrow$$ condensation $$\rightarrow$$ precipitation

• precipitation $$\rightarrow$$ condensation $$\rightarrow$$ evaporation

• condensation $$\rightarrow$$ evaporation $$\rightarrow$$ precipitation

• evaporation $$\rightarrow$$ precipitation $$\rightarrow$$ condensation