Water cycle

The water cycle.

The water cycle, or hydrological cycle, is the cycle that water goes through on Earth.

Overview

Water is essential for life as we know it. It is present throughout the Solar System, and was part of the Earth from its formation. The source of the water was the same as the source of the Earth's rock: the cloud particles which condensed in the origin of the Solar System.

Processes

This is the process that water starts and ends in the water cycle.

Evaporation

  • The cycle starts when water underground of the Earth evaporates. Evaporation means the sun heats the water which turns into a gas (water vapour). This process is called evaporation

Condensation

  • When the water vapour gets cold, it becomes liquid again in small droplets, that when grouped together, create clouds. Clouds are able to stay up without falling because the small water droplets are so small that they are light enough for air currents going up from the earth's surface to keep them from falling. This process is called condensation

Precipitation

  • As the small water droplets group more and more together, they become heavier and bigger, heavier enough that the air currents going up from the earth's surface can't keep them from falling anymore. So, the water falls from the sky, as rain, snow, sleet or hail. This is called precipitation

Collection

  • Then, The fallen water sinks into the surface and is collected into lakes, oceans, or aquifers. After which, It evaporates again and continues the cycle all over again

This whole process in which water evaporates and falls on the land and later flows back in rivers and ponds is known as the water cycle

Human activities affecting water cycle

References

  1. ↑ "The Water Cycle". Dr. Art's Guide to Planet Earth. Archived from the original on 2011-12-26. Retrieved 2006-10-24.Water cycle.
  2. ↑ Van Andel, Tjeerd H. 1994. New views on an old planet: a history of global change Chapter 14. 2nd ed, Cambridge. ISBN 0-521-44755-0