Water Cycle
Definition
The water cycle refers to the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth's surface. It involves processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.
Analogy
Imagine the water cycle as a giant recycling system for water. Just like how you recycle plastic bottles by melting them down and turning them into new bottles, the water cycle recycles water by evaporating it from oceans and lakes, forming clouds, then releasing it back to Earth as rain or snow.
Related terms
Evaporation: The process in which liquid water changes into vapor due to heat energy.
Condensation: The process in which water vapor cools down and changes back into liquid form.
Precipitation: Any form of moisture that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
"Water Cycle" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (4)
- How does urbanization impact the water cycle?
- How does urbanization impact the water cycle?
- How does urbanization impact the water cycle?
- How does urbanization impact the water cycle?
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