Water Cycle Basics
What is the name of the continuous movement of water around Earth?
The water cycle
What is evaporation?
When liquid water changes into water vapour
What is condensation?
When water vapour cools and changes into liquid water
What is precipitation?
Water falling from clouds to Earth
What does collection mean in the water cycle?
Water gathering in places like oceans, rivers, lakes, and dams
Name the three main states of water.
Solid, liquid, and gas
What usually causes evaporation to happen faster?
Heat from the Sun
What forms in the sky because of condensation?
Clouds
Name two types of precipitation.
Rain, hail, snow, or sleet
Name two places where water can collect after rain falls.
Oceans, rivers, lakes, dams, or puddles
What energy source powers the water cycle?
The Sun
Where does most evaporation on Earth happen?
Oceans, lakes, and rivers
Why does water appear on the outside of a cold drink bottle?
Water vapour cools and condenses into liquid water
What must happen in clouds before precipitation falls?
Water droplets become heavy
Where does most of Earth’s water collect?
The oceans
Why is the water cycle important for living things?
It provides fresh water for plants, animals, and humans
Why do puddles disappear after rain?
The water evaporates into the air
What happens to water vapour before clouds form?
It cools down
Why does rain fall from clouds?
The water droplets become too heavy to stay in the cloud
Why is collection an important part of the water cycle?
It stores water so the cycle can continue through evaporation
Explain how water can move from the ocean to clouds and back to Earth.
The Sun heats water causing evaporation, clouds form through condensation, and precipitation returns water to Earth
Explain how temperature affects evaporation.
Warmer temperatures make water evaporate faster
Explain why condensation is important in the water cycle.
It forms clouds that lead to precipitation
Compare rain and snow as types of precipitation.
Rain is liquid water, while snow is frozen water crystals
Explain what happens to water after it collects in oceans, lakes, or rivers.
The Sun heats the water, causing evaporation and restarting the water cycle