assignment water cycle

ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

Water cycle.

The water cycle is the endless process that connects all of the water on Earth.

Conservation, Earth Science, Meteorology

Deer Streams National Park Mist

A misty cloud rises over Deer Streams National Park. The water cycle contains more steps than just rain and evaporation, fog and mist are other ways for water to be returned to the ground.

Photograph by Redline96

Water is one of the key ingredients to life on Earth. About 75 percent of our planet is covered by water or ice. The water cycle is the endless process that connects all of that water. It joins the Earth’s oceans, land, and atmosphere.

The Earth’s water cycle began about 3.8 billion years ago when rain fell on a cooling Earth, forming the oceans. The rain came from water vapor that escaped the magma in the Earth’s molten core into the atmosphere. Energy from the sun helped power the water cycle and Earth’s gravity kept water in the atmosphere from leaving the planet.

The oceans hold about 97 percent of the water on Earth. About 1.7 percent of Earth’s water is stored in polar ice caps and glaciers. Rivers, lakes, and soil hold approximately 1.7 percent. A tiny fraction—just 0.001 percent—exists in the Earth’s atmosphere as water vapor.

When molecules of water vapor return to liquid or solid form, they create cloud droplets that can fall back to Earth as rain or snow—a process called condensation . Most precipitation lands in the oceans. Precipitation that falls onto land flows into rivers, streams, and lakes. Some of it seeps into the soil where it is held underground as groundwater.

When warmed by the sun, water on the surface of oceans and freshwater bodies evaporates, forming a vapor. Water vapor rises into the atmosphere, where it condenses, forming clouds. It then falls back to the ground as precipitation. Moisture can also enter the atmosphere directly from ice or snow. In a process called sublimation , solid water, such as ice or snow, can transform directly into water vapor without first becoming a liquid.

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Related Resources

What Is the Water Cycle?

Water can be found all over Earth in the ocean, on land and in the atmosphere. The water cycle is the path that all water follows as it moves around our planet.

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech Data source: NASA's Earth Observatory

On Earth, you can find water in all three states of matter: solid , liquid and gas . Liquid water is found in Earth’s oceans, rivers, lakes, streams—and even in the soil and underground. Solid ice is found in glaciers , snow, and at the North and South Poles . Water vapor—a gas—is found in Earth’s atmosphere.

How does water travel from a glacier to the ocean to a cloud? That’s where the water cycle comes in.

The Water Cycle

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

The Sun’s heat causes glaciers and snow to melt into liquid water. This water goes into oceans, lakes and streams. Water from melting snow and ice also goes into the soil. There, it supplies water for plants and the groundwater that we drink.

Snow falling on a glacier during winter months usually replaces any water that melts away in the summer. However, due to Earth’s overall warming , most glaciers today are losing more ice than they regain, causing them to shrink over time.

How does water get into the atmosphere? There are two main ways this happens:

• Heat from the Sun causes water to evaporate from oceans, lakes and streams. Evaporation occurs when liquid water on Earth’s surface turns into water vapor in our atmosphere.
• Water from plants and trees also enters the atmosphere. This is called transpiration .

Warm water vapor rises up through Earth’s atmosphere. As the water vapor rises higher and higher, the cool air of the atmosphere causes the water vapor to turn back into liquid water, creating clouds. This process is called condensation .

When a cloud becomes full of liquid water, it falls from the sky as rain or snow—also known as precipitation . Rain and snow then fill lakes and streams, and the process starts all over again.

Clouds, like these over the savannah in Nairobi, Kenya, form when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses back into liquid water. Credit: Department of State

Why Do We Care About the Water Cycle?

We care about the water cycle because water is necessary for all living things. NASA satellites orbiting Earth right now are helping us to understand what is happening with water on our planet.

Water in the Soil

Humans need water to drink, and to water the plants that grow our food. NASA has a satellite called SMAP —short for Soil Moisture Active Passive —that measures how much water is in the top 2 inches (5 cm) of Earth’s soil . This can help us understand the relationship between water in the soil and severe weather conditions, such as droughts.

Water in the Atmosphere

NASA’s CloudSat mission studies water in our atmosphere in the form of clouds. CloudSat gathers information about clouds and how they play a role in Earth’s climate. Also, the international satellite called the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (GPM) observes when, where and how much it rains and snows on Earth.

Water in the Oceans

As Earth’s climate becomes warmer, land ice at the North and South Poles starts melting. The water then flows into the ocean, causing sea level to rise. NASA’s Jason-3 mission—short for Joint Altimetry Satellite Oceanography Network-3 —orbits Earth collecting information about sea level and ocean temperature. This helps track how the ocean responds to Earth’s changing climate.

NASA is also tracking how Earth’s water moves all around our planet. This is the work of the GRACE-FO —or Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment-Follow On —mission. It tracks the movement of water from one month to the next, and can even measure changes in deep groundwater hundreds of feet below Earth’s surface.

NASA’s Aqua satellite also collects a large amount of information about Earth’s water cycle, including water in the oceans, clouds, sea ice, land ice and snow cover.

Related NASA Missions

FREE K-12 standards-aligned STEM

curriculum for educators everywhere!

Find more at TeachEngineering.org .

• TeachEngineering
• Water Cycle

Unit Water Cycle

Engineering Connection

Engineers around the world play a key role in managing Earth’s natural resources, including water. Solving fundamental challenges, such as providing clean drinking water for people and keeping rivers healthy for aquatic life, is at the heart of what engineering is about. For communities to have access to clean water, engineers must understand the water cycle process, be aware of local natural resources, and address the presence of environmental pollutants when they design and maintain water distribution systems and water treatment plants.

Unit Schedule

Suggested activity order:

• One World Ocean
• Can You Catch Water?
• Snow vs. Water
• Break the Tension
• Water Cycle: Moving without Wheels

Last modified: October 6, 2020

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• Biology Article

Water Cycle

What is the Water Cycle? Water Cycle Diagram Stages of Water Cycle Implications of Water Cycle Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Water Cycle?

The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle or the hydrological cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth.

Water Cycle Diagram

During this process, water changes its state from one phase to another, but the total number of water particles remains the same. In other words, if it were possible to collect and boil 100 gms of water, it will still retain a mass of 100 gms as steam. Likewise, if 100 gms of steam is collected and condensed, the resultant water would still weight 100 gms.

Water changes its state through a variety of processes from evaporation, melting and freezing, to sublimation, condensation, and deposition. All these changes require the application of energy.

Stages of Water Cycle

There are many processes involved in the movement of water apart from the major steps given in the above water cycle diagram. Listed below are different stages of the water cycle.

1. Evaporation

The sun is the ultimate source of energy, and it powers most of the evaporation that occurs on earth. Evaporation generally happens when water molecules at the surface of water bodies become excited and rise into the air. These molecules with the highest kinetic energy accumulate into water vapour clouds. Evaporation usually takes place below the boiling point of water. Another process called evapotranspiration occurs when evaporation occurs through the leaves of plants. This process contributes to a large percentage of water in the atmosphere.

2. Sublimation

Sublimation occurs when snow or ice changes directly into water vapour without becoming water. It usually occurs as a result of dry winds and low humidity. Sublimation can be observed on mountain peaks, where the air pressure is quite low. The low air pressure helps to sublimate the snow into water vapour as less energy is utilised in the process. Another example of sublimation is the phase where fog bellows from dry ice. On earth, the primary source of sublimation is from the ice sheets covering the poles of the earth.

3. Condensation

The water vapour that accumulated in the atmosphere eventually cools down due to the low temperatures found at high altitudes. These vapours become tiny droplets of water and ice, eventually coming together to form clouds.

4. Precipitation

Above 0 degrees centigrade, the vapours will condense into water droplets. However, it cannot condense without dust or other impurities. Hence, water vapours attach itself on to the particle’s surface. When enough droplets merge, it falls out of the clouds and on to the ground below. This process is called precipitation (or rainfall). In particularly cold weather or extremely low air pressure, the water droplets freeze and fall as snow or hail.

5. Infiltration

Rainwater gets absorbed into the ground through the process of infiltration. The level of absorption varies based on the material the water has seeped into. For instance, rocks will retain comparatively less water than soil. Groundwater can either follows streams or rivers. But sometimes, it might just sink deeper, forming aquifers.

If the water from rainfall does not form aquifers, it follows gravity, often flowing down the sides of mountains and hills; eventually forming rivers. This process is called runoff. In colder regions, icecaps form when the amount of snowfall is faster than the rate of evaporation or sublimation. The biggest icecaps on earth are found at the poles.

All the steps mentioned above occur cyclically with neither a fixed beginning nor an end.

Also Read:  Back to the Oceans

Implications of Water Cycle

• The water cycle has a tremendous impact on the climate. For instance, the greenhouse effect will cause a rise in temperature. Without the evaporative cooling effect of the water cycle, the temperature on earth would rise drastically.
• The water cycle is also an integral part of other biogeochemical cycles.
• Water cycle affects all life processes on earth.
• The water cycle is also known the clean the air. For instance, during the process of precipitation, water vapours have to attach themselves on to particles of dust. In polluted cities, the raindrops, apart from picking up dust, also pick up water-soluble gas and pollutants as they fall from the clouds. Raindrops are also known to pick up biological agents such as bacteria and industrial soot particles and smoke.

Read more about the water cycle with diagram by registering @  BYJU’S Biology

• Biogeochemical cycles
• Oxygen Cycle
• Carbon Cycle
• Nitrogen Cycle

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the major 4 steps in the water cycle.

The major 4 steps are evaporation of water, then condensation, precipitation and collection. The sun evaporates water sources and contributes to the formation of water vapor. These water vapour accumulate in the atmosphere as clouds. The vapours condense into water droplets and when enough droplets merge, it falls out of the clouds as rain.

What is the difference between evaporation and condensation?

Evaporation is a process by which water changes into water vapour. Condensation is an opposite process by which water vapour is converted into tiny droplets of water.

Why is water cycle important?

Water cycle has a huge impact on determining the global climate. It is also an integral part of other biogeochemical cycles. It affects all life processes on Earth either directly or indirectly.

Put your understanding of this concept to test by answering a few MCQs. Click ‘Start Quiz’ to begin!

Select the correct answer and click on the “Finish” button Check your score and answers at the end of the quiz

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The Water Cycle

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NOAA Water Cycle Resources

NOAA National Weather Service

You may think every drop of rain falling from the sky, or each glass of water you drink, is brand new, but it has always been here, and is a part of the water cycle.  At its most basic, the water cycle is how water continuously moves from the ground to the atmosphere and back again.  As it moves through this cycle, it changes forms.  Water is the only substance that naturally exists in three states on Earth – solid, liquid, and gas.

Over 96% of total global water is in the ocean, so let’s start there.  Energy from the sun causes water on the surface to evaporate into water vapor – a gas.  This invisible vapor rises into the atmosphere, where the air is colder, and condenses into clouds.  Air currents move these clouds all around the earth.

Water drops form in clouds, and the drops then return to the ocean or land as precipitation - let’s say this time, it’s snow.  The snow will fall to the ground, and eventually melts back into a liquid and runs off into a lake or river, which flows back into the ocean, where it starts the process again.

That’s just one path water can take through the water cycle.  Instead of snow melting and running off into a river, it can become part of a glacier and stay there for a long, long time.  Or rain can seep into the ground and become groundwater, where it’s taken up by plants.  It can then transpirate to gas directly through the leaves and return to the atmosphere.  Or, instead of being taken up by the plant, the groundwater can work its way up to a lake, river, spring, or even the ocean.

As you can see, the water cycle can be a very complicated process.  And all its paths through Earth’s ecosystems are complex and not completely understood.

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Water cycle.

Teaching about the water cycle has never been so important. As the planet's temperature increases, the weather changes and our water supply is directly impacted. It's an engaging and meaningful unit. Who knows, one child in your classroom may solve the future's water supply problems.

It's also a wonderful introductory lesson that can lead into an environmental unit. It likely also embraces other units you've taught or plan to teach including weather, heat exchange and the world's oceans. Many teachers find it's the ideal time to schedule a tour of the local water supply stations. Children are likely to wonder where our water comes from? What happens if we run out? How do other people around the world get water? And how does our weather affect our water supply?

Water Cycle Classroom and Teaching Resources

Teacher Planet offers fantastic lesson plans. For example, you can download and use a lesson plan on how water ends up in your glass. You can also teach about the water cycle using hands on activities. Enjoy the abundance of teaching tools and resources and watch your young students become fascinated with water.

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Make a Mini Water Cycle Model

July 30, 2012 By Emma Vanstone 17 Comments

The water cycle is an amazing process that we started to talk about when discussing evaporation a couple of weeks ago.

Today we will have a go at creating our own mini water cycle model .

What is the water cycle?

Water on Earth is recycled over and over again; it’s always moving. It is this recycling process that we call the water cycle .

1. Evaporation – water evaporates into the air

The sun heats water on land, rivers, lakes and seas and turns it into water vapour.

The water vapour rises into the air.

2. Condensation – water vapour condenses into clouds

As water vapour in the air cools down, it turns back into tiny drops of water. These tiny drops of water form clouds.

3. Precipitation – water falls as rain

As the amount of water vapour in the clouds increases, the clouds get heavier and heavier. Water falls back to the ground as rain, sleet, or snow if it’s cold enough.

4. Water returns to the sea

As rainwater runs over the land back to rivers and the sea, some is taken up by and used by plants, and some returns to the air through transpiration. Most rainwater collects in lakes or rivers and flows back to the sea for the water cycle to start again.

The arrow from the sea to the sun – evaporation

The arrow from the sun to the clouds – condensation

The arrow from the Clouds to the mountains – precipitation

Make a water cycle model

You’ll need.

A plastic bowl (mixing bowl size)

How to make a water cycle model

It is best to do this outside in a sunny place.

1. Place the mug in the bottom of the bowl

2. Add water around the mug so that it comes up to ⅔rd of the mug – if you can draw on the bowl, mark where the water level is.

3. Cover the bowl tightly in clingfilm and fasten it in place with the string.

4. Watch what happens!

How does the water cycle model work?

You should find that you can see condensation drops of water on the top of the cling film and that the water level has lowered, proving that evaporation has taken place. The condensation droplets are the clouds. They will be dripping back into the bowl, but you should find some water in the cup (your mountains), demonstrating precipitation!

More Water Cycle Activities

Can you make a water cycle in a bag? Draw the sun and a cloud on a bag. Add some water and stick it to the inside of a sunny window. Watch as the water evaporates and condenses inside the bag!

Water Cycle Worksheet

Print the water cycle diagram below, cut out the squares and stick them in the correct place!

We love this LEGO water cycle model from EDventures, and this raining sponge from The Pinterested Parent is cool too.

Did you know you can measure rainfall with a simple rain gauge ?

Don’t forget to try my other weather science experiments too!

Last Updated on January 26, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

August 01, 2012 at 8:40 am

What a great activity! Love your diagram, too.

Thanks for sharing with Learning Laboratory at Mama Smiles =)

August 09, 2012 at 11:29 am

Thank you. xx

August 02, 2012 at 12:06 am

Such a great way to introduce education into play. All my kids love science experiments.

Its lovely to see them enjoy science isn’t it?

August 02, 2012 at 5:21 pm

Ooh fabulous project – as always!

Thank you for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!

Thanks Maggy 🙂

August 06, 2012 at 11:56 am

LOVE Science experiments to get kids interested in Science! We have this on our list to try too. Thanks for sharing it at TGIF! Have a great week Beth =-)

August 09, 2012 at 11:30 am

So glad you liked it Beth!

August 10, 2012 at 3:05 am

What a great activity!! We will have to give this one a try. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!

August 11, 2012 at 5:27 am

I’m pinning this to do with my boys in the near future, and I’m featuring on The Sunday Showcase tomorrow. Thank you for sharing!

August 11, 2012 at 12:51 pm

Great idea! I’ll have to try it with my girls!

February 27, 2013 at 5:50 pm

i loved it❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

March 18, 2015 at 5:54 pm

This was So cool!!!!!!!!!!! I love science!

March 18, 2017 at 8:42 pm

this is an excellent hands on activity to explain the process of the water cycle. students get to see each process and lean from observations. It is very engaging.

June 17, 2017 at 1:07 am

How long should the bowl be left outside before students check it?

February 28, 2018 at 6:01 pm

This is awful so awful lets go science yay yippie kai yaaa

PS your unloved

May 15, 2018 at 5:51 am

Such a scenic view ,looks great. Lovely.

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Water Cycle Project

Water is one of the most important parts of our life. From drinking, cooking, cleaning to irrigation, photosynthesis etc, water is used for several important functions. Water is also extremely important for human life. It carries nutrients around the body, regulates our body temperature, removes toxins and also helps in digesting the food we eat. Learning about water and the water cycle is an essential part of a child’s education. Conducting a water cycle project helps children understand the different stages of the water cycle.

Conducting activities like science experiments for kids and science projects helps children see science concepts come to life. These demonstrations of their science lessons help them understand the lessons better. The water cycle is the biogeochemical cycle that describes the continuous movement of water within the Earth and its atmosphere. Water moves through a continuous cycle in various forms on, above and below the surface of the Earth. 

In this article, explore:

• What is the water cycle?
• Aim of the project
• Things you’ll need

Instructions

• Benefits of learning about the water cycle

What is the Water Cycle?

The water cycle or the hydrologic cycle is the process by which water moves within the Earth and its atmosphere in a continuous loop. First, the water evaporates from the surface of the Earth. Then, the vapor in the atmosphere condenses to form clouds and falls back to the Earth in the form of precipitation. The rainwater, which becomes a part of the water bodies, evaporates and the cycle continues. Check out this water cycle worksheet to help your child learn about the stages in the water cycle.

The steps involved in the water cycle:

• Evaporation: Evaporation is the process by which water turns from its liquid form into gas and rises to the atmosphere of the Earth. The water in the oceans, rivers, lakes and water bodies heat up from the Sun’s heat and rise into the atmosphere as vapor.
• Condensation: As the water vapor rises and reaches the atmosphere, the cold air changes it back into liquid form. The fine water droplets hang on to dust particles in the air and form clouds. 
• Precipitation: As millions of water droplets condense together, the clouds become heavier and larger. When they get too heavy, they fall to the ground as rain. If the air in the cloud is below freezing temperatures, ice crystals form, and it falls to the ground in the form of snow or hail.
• Collection: Some of the rain that falls to the ground is absorbed into the Earth and becomes groundwater. The rest of it flows into and collects in oceans, lakes, rivers and other water bodies. From here, the water cycle starts again.

Water Cycle Project: How to Build a 3d Model of the Water Cycle?

Have you ever wondered where the rain comes from? And what causes rain? Rain is part of the water cycle, and understanding the water cycle helps children learn what causes rain. Rain falls from clouds and is made of tiny water droplets. These water droplets are the result of water evaporating from the surface of the Earth. In the atmosphere, the water vapor condenses to form clouds and then fall down on the Earth in the form of rain. 

Performing the water cycle in a bag experiment is a great way to demonstrate the water cycle to kids. Another great activity to help kids understand their lesson on the water cycle is a water cycle project. Build a 3d model of the water cycle with your children to help them understand the lesson better.

Aim of the Project

This water cycle project idea to build a 3 dimensional model of the water cycle helps children see the different steps of the water cycle. This demonstration helps them observe and visualize each step of the water cycle. 

Things You’ll Need

• Wooden board
• 2 sheets of cardboard
• 2 sheets of blue-colored chart paper
• Green, blue, white and brown felt paper
• Cotton balls
• Blue, green, yellow and black coloring pens
• Sticker of the Sun
• Place the wooden board on a flat surface. Cut one sheet of cardboard to the same size as the wooden board and glue it to the surface. This is the base.
• Next, cut the second sheet of cardboard to the same length as the wooden board. Then, cut the blue colored chart paper to the same size as the cardboard and glue it onto the cardboard. 
• Now, glue cotton balls to the left side on the top half of the cardboard to form the clouds. 
• On the top right-hand side, glue a sticker of the Sun. Using the yellow-colored pen, draw the Sun’s rays.
• Cut the brown felt paper into triangles and glue it on the blue-colored cardboard to form mountains. Cut out smaller triangles using the white felt paper and glue it on the brown felt paper to make snow-covered mountains.
• Cut a wavy strip of blue felt paper and glue it in between the mountains to show a river flowing down. 
• Draw water droplets and snow coming down from the clouds to show rain.
• Glue this cardboard to the wooden board at a 90 degree angle.
• Cut a small circle from the blue felt paper and glue it at the bottom of the mountains (on the base) to show a lake. Ensure that the blue strip representing the river continues into the lake to represent the flow.
• Cut out trees and bushes from the green and brown felt paper and glue it onto the base. 
• Draw wavy lines on top of the lake rising up to the clouds to represent the water vapor rising into the atmosphere due to evaporation.
• Your 3d model of the water cycle is ready.

Benefits of Learning about the Water Cycle 

Building a 3d model of the water cycle helps children visualize and create the 4 different steps involved in the water cycle. Here are some more benefits of learning about the water cycle:

• The water cycle helps children learn how animals, plants, humans and the Earth get water.
• Without the water cycle, the Earth would run out of clean water for drinking, cleaning, cooking, moving nutrients, sediments etc.
• It is necessary to regulate the weather on our planet.
• Infiltration or the process by which the rainwater gets absorbed into the ground filters and cleans the water.
• All the processes help create ecosystems and sustain life.

For more projects, activities, games and worksheets that make learning fun, check our kids learning section.

Frequently Asked Questions on Water Cycle Project

What is a water cycle project.

This is a science project to demonstrate the different steps of the water cycle by building a 3d model.

How does building a 3d model of the water cycle help children?

The water cycle project to build a 3d model of the water cycle helps children visualize and observe the different steps of the water cycle. It helps them understand how rain is formed and what causes rainfall.

Assignment: Water Cycle

Created by Michelle G on 11/29/2023

4 activities: 4 games

Activity 1: Instructional Game. Estimated duration: 10 min

Walter Wet - The Water Droplet

Help Walter and Windy journey through the water cycle in 14 exciting levels! Master all the water states and transitions to reach the Ocean together. This game can be played in pairs or as a single player, 1 character at a time.

Teacher Ratings (17) 4.2 stars.

Student Ratings (5785) 4.3 stars.

Activity 2: Instructional Game. Estimated duration: 10 min

Super Droplet Cycle

Follow a droplet in its journey through the water cycle! Evaporate in the ocean, condense in a cloud and fall from the sky as precipitation... and then come back to the ocean through the runoff!

Teacher Ratings (22) 4.7 stars.

Student Ratings (15682) 4.1 stars.

Activity 3: Instructional Game. Estimated duration: 10 min

Activity 4: Instructional Game. Estimated duration: 9 min

Let's Ride The Water Cycle

This game is an interactive animation that simulates the water cycles. You'll learn about the steps of the water cycle and its spheres of influence. You will get to click on items like the sun and trees to learn about their role in the cycle. You will understand evaporation, condensation, precipitation and the other ways that the water cycle impacts our lives.

Teacher Ratings (131) 3.8 stars.

Student Ratings (36205) 3.3 stars.

Water Cycle

The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. The water cycle is driven by solar energy and is essential for the maintenance of life on Earth. The mass of water on Earth remains relatively constant over time, but the distribution of water into the major reservoirs of ice, fresh water, saline water (salt water), and atmospheric water varies depending on a variety of climatic variables.

The physical processes of evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, surface runoff, and subsurface flow transport water from one reservoir to another, such as from a river to the ocean or from the ocean to the atmosphere. As a result, the water undergoes several transformations, including liquid, solid (ice), and vapor. The ocean is vital to the water cycle because it accounts for 86% of global evaporation.

The water cycle describes how water evaporates from the earth’s surface, rises into the atmosphere, cools and condenses into rain or snow in clouds, and then falls back to the earth’s surface as precipitation. Water that falls on land collects in rivers and lakes, soil, and porous rock layers, and much of it flows back into the oceans to evaporate. The cycling of water in and out of the atmosphere is an important aspect of Earth’s weather patterns.

The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle, is the process by which water moves through the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, land, and living organisms. It is a continuous process that involves the following steps:

• Evaporation: This is the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapor form. It occurs when the sun’s energy heats up the surface water of the Earth, causing it to evaporate and rise into the atmosphere.
• Condensation: When the water vapor rises into the atmosphere, it cools and forms clouds. This is called condensation, as the water vapor changes from a gas back into a liquid.
• Precipitation: When the clouds become saturated with water vapor, they release the water back to the Earth in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
• Infiltration: When precipitation falls on the ground, some of it is absorbed into the soil, where it can be taken up by plants or recharge groundwater.
• Runoff: The rest of the precipitation that does not infiltrate the soil runs off the surface of the land and flows into rivers, lakes, and oceans.
• Transpiration: Plants absorb water through their roots and release it into the atmosphere through a process called transpiration. This water vapor then becomes a part of the water cycle.

The water cycle is an essential process for life on Earth, as it ensures the constant supply of fresh water for plants, animals, and humans. However, human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and climate change are affecting the water cycle and leading to changes in the Earth’s water balance.

The water cycle involves energy exchange, which results in temperature changes. Water evaporates, absorbing energy from its surroundings and cooling the environment. It releases energy and warms the environment when it condenses. These heat exchanges have an impact on the climate.

The cycle’s evaporative phase purifies water, which then replenishes the land with freshwater. The movement of liquid water and ice transports minerals all over the world. It is also involved in reshaping the Earth’s geological features through processes such as erosion and sedimentation. The water cycle is also necessary for the survival of most life and ecosystems on Earth.

Pandemics are Significantly Less Expensive to Prevent than to Control

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