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. Rational and Irrational Numbers
Study Guide
Rational and Irrational Numbers 
Worksheet/Answer key
Rational and Irrational Numbers Worksheet/Answer key
Rational and Irrational Numbers Worksheet/Answer key
Rational and Irrational Numbers
Worksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyThe resources above cover the following skills:
Connections to the Grade 7 Focal Points (NCTM)
Number and Operations: In grade 4, students used equivalent fractions to determine the decimal representations of fractions that they could represent with terminating decimals. Students now use division to express any fraction as a decimal, including fractions that they must represent with infinite decimals. They find this method useful when working with proportions, especially those involving percents. Students connect their work with dividing fractions to solving equations of the form ax = b, where a and b are fractions. Students continue to develop their understanding of multiplication and division and the structure of numbers by determining if a counting number greater than 1 is a prime, and if it is not, by factoring it into a product of primes.