π Water Never Stops Moving!
The water cycle describes how water moves around Earth. The same water that dinosaurs drank is still here today! Water changes form (liquid, gas, solid) but is never created or destroyed.
π The Four Stages
βοΈ
1. Evaporation
Sun heats water in oceans, lakes, rivers
Liquid β Gas (water vapour)
Rises into the atmosphere
βοΈ
2. Condensation
Water vapour cools high up
Gas β Liquid (tiny droplets)
Forms clouds
π§οΈ
3. Precipitation
Clouds get heavy with water
Falls as rain, snow, sleet, hail
Returns water to Earth
ποΈ
4. Collection
Water collects in oceans, lakes, rivers
Some soaks into ground (groundwater)
Cycle begins again!
π The Cycle
βοΈ EVAPORATION (water rises)
β
βοΈ CONDENSATION (clouds form)
β
π§οΈ PRECIPITATION (water falls)
β
ποΈ COLLECTION (water gathers)
β back to evaporation!
π More Terms
Also Remember
- Transpiration β water evaporates from plants
- Runoff β water flowing over land to rivers
- Infiltration β water soaking into soil
- Groundwater β water stored underground
βοΈ Activities
Activity: Draw the Water Cycle
Draw and label all four stages:
Draw the water cycle here with labels
Quick Questions
- What heats water to cause evaporation? ___________
- What forms when water vapour condenses? ___________
- Name two types of precipitation: ___________, ___________
π©βπ« Teacher Notes
Curriculum Links
- Science: Planet Earth β water, weather
- Te Ao MΔori: Significance of wai (water)