Water Cycle Study Guide

What is the Water Cycle?

The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. It involves processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.

Key Processes in the Water Cycle:

1. Evaporation: The process where water is heated by the sun and turns into water vapor, rising into the atmosphere.
2. Condensation: The process where water vapor in the air cools and turns back into liquid water, forming clouds.
3. Precipitation: When water droplets in the clouds become too heavy and fall to the ground as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
4. Runoff: The flow of water on the Earth's surface into bodies of water like rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Importance of the Water Cycle:

The water cycle is crucial for maintaining the Earth's water supply. It helps to distribute water across the planet, replenish water sources, and sustain ecosystems.

Study Tips:

• Use diagrams and illustrations to visualize the water cycle processes.
• Understand the role of the sun's energy in driving the water cycle.
• Be able to explain the different forms of precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, hail) and how they occur.
• Learn about human impacts on the water cycle, such as pollution and deforestation.

Review Questions:

1. What are the key processes in the water cycle?
2. How does the water cycle help sustain ecosystems?
3. What role does the sun play in the water cycle?
4. Explain the differences between evaporation and condensation.

Understanding the water cycle is important for understanding Earth's natural processes and the distribution of water resources. Keep practicing and reviewing the concepts to master this topic!

[Water Cycle] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Science Worksheets: Water. Science • Third Grade
• Cycles of life and BiomesScience • Fifth Grade