Geography (Water cycle)

• Water Cycle /Hydrological Cycle

  The continuous movement of water between the atmosphere and land surface
• There is no start or end point in this cycle, as water changes form but does not disappear
• Water Cycle


  1. Heat from the sun causes water from lakes, oceans and streams to change into water vapor (gas), in the process of evaporation

  2. Water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere rises and cools to form clouds, a process called condensation

  3. After condensation, water is then released into the Earth as different forms such as rainfall, snow & hail, a process called precipitation

  4. Precipitation falls on the Earth's surface as surface runoff

  5. Some rainwater goes through infiltration, the downward movement of rainwater into porous soil or rock, becoming groundwater

  6. Groundwater can then flow into rivers, lakes or the ocean
• Evaporation


  The cycle where water (liquid) turns to water vapor (gas) due to the heating of the Earth
• Transpiration


  When plants give off excess water through holes under leaves called stomata, turning the water into water vapor
• Precipitation


  The process where water is released from clouds as different forms such as rainfall, snow and hail
• Condensation


  The process where water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere rises and cools to form clouds
• Surface runoff


  The flow of water over the Earth's surface during heavy rainfall
• Infiltration


  The downward movement of rainwater into porous soil or rock, becoming groundwater
• The water cycle has no start or end point, as water changes form but does not disappear
• Components of the water cycle

  • Evaporation
  • Transpiration
  • Precipitation
  • Condensation
  • Surface runoff
  • Infiltration
• The water cycle is important as it provides water supply in the ecosystem, agriculture and human consumption, helps maintain climate patterns, replenishes fresh water sources and supports life on Earth
• Rivers are an important part of the water cycle