Water Cycle Worksheet Questions

Prior Knowledge Question: The water that comes out of your faucet at home used to be in the ocean. How did water get from the ocean to your water faucet?

• It flowed underground directly to houses without changing state

• It evaporated from the ocean, formed clouds, fell as precipitation, and was collected and delivered as drinking water

• It was pumped straight from the ocean into city pipes without treatment

• It seeped into plants and moved through roots into household pipes

Gizmo Warm-up: Click Oceans. What percentage of Earth’s water is found in the oceans?

Gizmo Warm-up: Click Atmosphere. How does the Sun cause water to move from the oceans to the atmosphere?

• The Sun’s heat causes ocean water to evaporate into water vapor

• Sunlight pushes liquid water upward as wind blows over the ocean

• Sunlight freezes the surface so ice rises into the air

• The Sun pulls water upward by gravity

Gizmo Warm-up: Click Clouds. How do clouds form?

• Water vapor in the atmosphere cools and condenses into tiny droplets

• Raindrops splash upward and gather in the sky

• Ocean waves throw mist into the air where it stays as clouds

• The wind mixes dust with dry air to make clouds

Gizmo Warm-up: Click Precip (rain). What causes it to rain?

• Clouds become warm and release vapor

• Water droplets in clouds grow large enough to fall to Earth’s surface

• Winds blow clouds apart, shaking out water

• The Sun pulls water down from the atmosphere

Gizmo Warm-up: Click Oceans again, and then choose the PATH tab. Because it has the same beginning and end, the path is a complete cycle. How many steps does this cycle have?

Activity: What are the parts of the water cycle? Collect data instructions say: Create two water cycles using the Gizmo. Each cycle should have at least four steps and should begin and end at the same location. According to these instructions, where should each cycle begin and end?

• At different locations so paths vary

• At the ocean only

• At the same location

• At high mountains then at rivers

Analyze: What percentage of Earth’s water can be found in soil?

Analyze: What percentage of Earth’s water is stored in ice and snow?

Analyze: What percentage of Earth’s fresh water is stored in ice and snow?