The water cycle describes how water is circulated throughout the Earth. Water evaporates from oceans and lakes into the sky due to heat from the Sun, forms clouds, and condenses back into liquid water that falls as precipitation like rain or snow. This water is then collected in oceans, lakes, and rivers, where it begins evaporating again, repeating the cycle that provides fresh water for drinking and growing plants.
2. How old is your water?
Have a look at the water.
It has been around about as long as the Earth has!
It was there for the dinosaurs, for knights and squires.
And you thought us teachers were old!
3. Evaporation
Heat from the Sun causes water on Earth (in oceans,
lakes etc) to evaporate (turn from liquid into gas).
It rises into the sky. This water vapour collects in the
sky (clouds).
4. Condensation
As water vapour in the clouds cools down it becomes
water again.
We call this condensation.
Where in the classroom can we find
condensation?
7. Why is it useful?
We need the water cycle so we can drink fresh water.
We also need it to water plants.
We can’t use sea water because it is too salty!
