6th Grade Water Cycle and Water Pollution

Water Cycle and Water Pollution

By Marissa Brown

The Water Cycle

Did you know...

The water we drink today has been around for thousands of years, since the Earth was created. It is constantly cycled in different forms.

The heat from the sun drives the water cycle.
Without the sun, we wouldn't have the movement of water!

The Sun

Of course we must start with a water source.
The ocean is the main source of water for the water cycle

Water

Basics

Step 1: Evaporation

Evaporation occurs when water changes from a liquid to a gas.

This is how we get water vapor, it is a gas of water in the atmosphere that surrounds us and is part of air composition.

Step 2: Condensation

When a lot of water vapor bunches together, it condenses to form clouds.

Condensation means that the gas is forming back into a liquid.

This process is condensation: water vapor condenses to form clouds

There are different types of clouds that bring different types of weather. We will learn about those types of clouds soon.

Crock pot demo

As the water in the bottom of the crock pot heats up, it causes the water to evaporate and turn to solid/liquid/gas. ​

Multiple Choice

What is the temperature of the crockpot lid like compared to the bottom of the crockpot?

• they are the same temperature

• the lid is hotter

• the lid is cooler

Multiple Choice

When water turns from liquid form to a gas

• evaporation

• precipitation

• condensation

• transpiration

Multiple Choice

When water vapor turns into a liquid

• condensation

• runoff

• transpiration

• evaporation

When a lot of water vapor condenses and forms clouds, over time the clouds will become heavy and the liquid will return back to Earth as precipitation.

Precipitation is when water falls to Earth as rain, snow, sleet or hail.

Step 3: Precipitation

More Precipitation

Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, frozen water will stick to the ground.

Hail forms in cumulonimbus clouds and can be large pellets

Step 4: Runoff

When precipitation falls back to earth, it flows across the surface of Earth. This process is known as runoff.

Runoff will typically come from higher surfaces and trickle down to bodies of water such as rivers, streams, etc. Eventually, runoff will make its way back to the ocean. The ocean is Earth’s largest reservoir (stores) of water.

Multiple Choice

What is the water cycle?

• the 3 forms of water
• the movement of water on, above, or below the surface of the Earth
• when water melts
• when clouds form

Multiple Choice

What is the energy source for the water cycle?

• the sun
• the earth
• water
• the moon

Multiple Choice

What is the process during which water changes from a liquid to a gas as it heats up?

• Condensation
• Runoff
• Precipitation
• Evaporation

Multiple Choice

What is the process during which water cools and turns from a gas to a liquid?

• Condensation
• Runoff
• Precipitation
• Evaporation

Multiple Choice

As water evaporates it enters the air as

• clouds

• rain

• water vapor

Multiple Choice

The water that moves along the surface of the earth is called

• ground water

• surface water

• runoff water

Multiple Choice

Water that falls from the atmosphere

• Precipitation

• Condensation

• Evaporation

• Transpiration

Multiple Choice

A specific source of pollution is known as

• Water pollution
• Point source 
• Non-point source 

Multiple Choice

What % of readily usable freshwater is on Earth?

• 97%
• 71%
• 3 % 
• 1 %

Multiple Choice

True or False: It isn't important to save water because there is so much of it on Earth.

• True

• False

Explanation Slide...

Although there is a lot of water on earth (75 percent of the earth's surface!), most of it is salt water so you can't drink it. It is very important to save the water we use every day because less than 1 percent of the earth's water can be used by people!

Explanation Slide...

While it might be more fun to splash in a warm bath, it takes 70 gallons of water to fill a tub but only 10 to 13 gallons for a five minute shower. If you do take a bath, put the stopper in the drain right away and change the temperature as you fill the tub.

Multiple Choice

When you clean off after playing outside, which uses less water?

Hint: a shower allows for more controlled water usage compared to a bath

• Taking a 5 minute shower

• Taking a bath

Multiple Choice

Most household water usage (35%) is for which activity?

• kitchen

• cleaning

• showering

• laundry

Multiple Choice

A practice in which people attempt to use resources wisely is called _________________.

• wasting

• throwing away

• taking for granted

• conservation

Multiple Choice

The contamination of water bodies is ________________,

• water pollution

• water conservation

• water creation

• water wasting

Multiple Choice

Pollution that can be traced back to one source/location is referred to as ______________________.

• nonpoint-source pollution

• point-source pollution

Multiple Choice

When pollution comes from many different scattered sources it is referred to as _____________________.

• nonpoint-source pollution

• point-source pollution

Multiple Choice

An example of nonpoint-source pollution would be ________.

• city streets

• croplands

• suburban development

• all of the above

Multiple Choice

Our fresh water comes from ________________.

• volcanoes

• crops

• habitats

• rivers

Multiple Choice

Water pollution affects ___________________.

• humans

• animals

• plants

• all of the above

Multiple Choice

Groundwater sits ______________ nonporous rocks.

• on top of

• below

Multiple Choice

Wells are built to extract water from _______________.

• rivers

• springs

• groundwater

• lakes