THE WATER CYCLE
The water cycle is the cycle in which water circulates between the hydrosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere.
EVAPORATION
Evaporation is the process where water turns into water vapor due to absorbing heat energy from the sun. Water evaporates from oceans, seas, rivers, and lakes. It goes from the hydrosphere to the atmosphere. Water evaporating causes water temperature to decrease.
Evaporation is the process where water turns into water vapor due to absorbing heat energy from the sun. Water evaporates from oceans, seas, rivers, and lakes. It goes from the hydrosphere to the atmosphere. Water evaporating causes water temperature to decrease.
CONDENSATION
Condensation is where water vapor rises into the atmosphere and cools. The water vapor turns into tiny ice particles or water droplets at high altitudes. At high altitudes, clouds are formed. At low altitudes, fog is formed.
Condensation is where water vapor rises into the atmosphere and cools. The water vapor turns into tiny ice particles or water droplets at high altitudes. At high altitudes, clouds are formed. At low altitudes, fog is formed.
SUBLIMATION
Sublimation also makes water vapor. It is where ice goes from a solid to a gas. It happens when the temperature is low or the pressure is high. It happens most often in the North Pole, South Pole, and ice caps on mountains. Sublimation is slower than evaporation.
Sublimation also makes water vapor. It is where ice goes from a solid to a gas. It happens when the temperature is low or the pressure is high. It happens most often in the North Pole, South Pole, and ice caps on mountains. Sublimation is slower than evaporation.
PRECIPITATION
Wind and temperature change cause precipitation. It occurs when water droplets combine to make bigger droplets. They fall as rain in temperatures greater than 32° F and sleet, hail, and snow in temperatures below that.
Wind and temperature change cause precipitation. It occurs when water droplets combine to make bigger droplets. They fall as rain in temperatures greater than 32° F and sleet, hail, and snow in temperatures below that.
TRANSPIRATION
Some water is absorbed into the soil after precipitation. The roots of plants absorb the water. The leaves use it for photosynthesis. Extra water is pushed out through the stomata (tiny openings in leaves) as water vapor. This is called transpiration.
Some water is absorbed into the soil after precipitation. The roots of plants absorb the water. The leaves use it for photosynthesis. Extra water is pushed out through the stomata (tiny openings in leaves) as water vapor. This is called transpiration.
RUNOFF
Runoff is when water runs over the surface of the earth. Snowmelt can also make runoff. Water that is subject to runoff ends up in lakes, rivers, streams, oceans, and seas.
Runoff is when water runs over the surface of the earth. Snowmelt can also make runoff. Water that is subject to runoff ends up in lakes, rivers, streams, oceans, and seas.
INFILTRATION
Water that is not evaporated, absorbed into plants, and runoff into bodies of water goes into the soil. This is called infiltration. Water that is infiltrated becomes groundwater.
Water that is not evaporated, absorbed into plants, and runoff into bodies of water goes into the soil. This is called infiltration. Water that is infiltrated becomes groundwater.