The Water Cycle

• The amount of water on Earth is pretty much constant - but where it is changes
• Water cycle


  Water moves between rivers, lakes, oceans and the atmosphere
• The water here on planet Earth is constantly recycled
• The Water Cycle


  1. Energy from the Sun makes water evaporate from the land and sea, turning it into water vapour

  2. The warm water vapour is carried upwards (as warm air rises)

  3. When it gets higher up it cools and condenses to form clouds

  4. Water falls from the clouds as precipitation (usually rain, but sometimes snow or hail) onto land, where it provides fresh water for plants and animals

  5. It then drains into the sea, before the whole process starts again
• Transpiration


  Water evaporates from plants
• Key steps in the water cycle

  • Evaporation
  • Condensation
  • Transpiration
  • Precipitation