The Water Cycle

Steps in the Water Cycle

Evaporation• the process of changing water from a liquid to

a gas• occurs when water on Earth is heated by the

Sun

6. Condensation• the process of changing water vapor (gas)

back into liquid• occurs when water vapor cools as it gets

higher in the atmosphere• this is what makes clouds

1. Precipitation• liquid water falls from clouds back to Earth• can be in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail

3. Collection• oceans and lakes collect water that has fallen• stays in collection until evaporation occurs

2. Runoff• water that flows down a mountain in a river or

a stream, or off a surface into a collection source

5.Ground Water• water located beneath the Earth’s surface • can come to the surface through springs

4. Infiltration• The movement of water through the soil into

aquifers underground• An aquifer is a large body of groundwater that

can be extracted and used

7. Transpiration• the process by which moisture is carried

through plants from roots to small pores on the underside of leaves, where it changes to vapor and is released into the atmosphere

9. Water Source• Body of water that heats up and begins the

process of evaporation.• Lake, river, ocean, etc.