Water Cycle
The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. This process is crucial for the existence of life on our planet.
Key Processes in the Water Cycle
There are several key processes involved in the water cycle:
- Evaporation: The process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas (water vapor) due to heat energy from the sun.
- Condensation: The process by which water vapor in the air cools and changes back into liquid water, forming clouds.
- Precipitation: When the accumulated water droplets in clouds become too heavy, they fall to the Earth's surface as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
- Runoff: When precipitation hits the Earth's surface, it may flow over the ground and collect in rivers, lakes, and oceans, or it may seep into the soil, becoming groundwater.
- Transpiration: The process by which water is absorbed by plant roots and released into the atmosphere as water vapor through the plant's leaves.
Importance of the Water Cycle
The water cycle is vital for sustaining life on Earth. It helps maintain the balance of water on the planet, provides freshwater for plants, animals, and human consumption, and influences weather patterns and climate.
Study Tips
To better understand the water cycle, consider the following study tips:
- Review each key process in the water cycle and understand how they are interconnected.
- Use diagrams and visual aids to illustrate the different stages of the water cycle.
- Learn about the impact of human activities on the water cycle, such as deforestation and pollution.
- Explore real-life examples of the water cycle in action, such as the formation of clouds and the occurrence of rainfall.
By understanding the water cycle, you can gain a greater appreciation for the interconnectedness of Earth's systems and the importance of preserving our planet's water resources.
[Water Cycle] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:
.◂Math Worksheets and Study Guides Seventh Grade. Measurement, Perimeter, and Circumference
Study Guide
Measurement, Perimeter, and Circumference 
Worksheet/Answer key
Measurement, Perimeter, and Circumference Worksheet/Answer key
Measurement, Perimeter, and Circumference Worksheet/Answer key
Measurement, Perimeter, and Circumference
Worksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyThe resources above cover the following skills:
Geometry (NCTM)
Use visualization, spatial reasoning, and geometric modeling to solve problems.
Use geometric models to represent and explain numerical and algebraic relationships.
Measurement (NCTM)
Apply appropriate techniques, tools, and formulas to determine measurements.
Select and apply techniques and tools to accurately find length, area, volume, and angle measures to appropriate levels of precision.
Develop and use formulas to determine the circumference of circles and the area of triangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, and circles and develop strategies to find the area of more-complex shapes.
Connections to the Grade 7 Focal Points (NCTM)
Measurement and Geometry: Students connect their work on proportionality with their work on area and volume by investigating similar objects. They understand that if a scale factor describes how corresponding lengths in two similar objects are related, then the square of the scale factor describes how corresponding areas are related, and the cube of the scale factor describes how corresponding volumes are related. Students apply their work on proportionality to measurement in different contexts, including converting among different units of measurement to solve problems involving rates such as motion at a constant speed. They also apply proportionality when they work with the circumference, radius, and diameter of a circle; when they find the area of a sector of a circle; and when they make scale drawings.