The Steps to the Water Cycle
Step one: Evaporation
Evaporation is where the heated water turns into a gas called water vapor. Water is usually energized by the sun; when the heat received is enough, it changes into the gaseous state. It takes an enormous amount of heat to cause water to evaporate. It takes about 600 calories (2,510 joules) for one gram of water to evaporate. Atmospheric pressure also plays a role in the evaporation rate. Water is also present in plants. The water of the plant is removed through a process called transpiration. In transpiration water is evaporated in the plant and leaves through the stomata (or holes) of the plant.
An average tree can transpire hundred of gallons of water into the air every day.
Step Two: Condensation
Condensation is the process where the water vapor turns into a liquid and forms clouds. Condensation is caused when the air cools water vapor until it reaches its saturation point. Once water reaches this point and turns into a liquid, it releases all of the energy it used to get to a gaseous state. Rain drops form when water vapor comes in contact with dust that is floating in
the air. Because of water’s polarity, dust particles moving in the air attach to more and more water molecules until it forms a rain drop. The most common particle in clouds is a sea salt which is an ion that water can bond to. Condensation forms clouds, dew, and fog. A cloud is a mass of water or ice droplets suspended in the air. Clouds are very important because they transport water from different locations. The movement of clouds over an ocean to land is called transport. Fog is an example of a cloud that has occurred near the ground. Dew forms as the water vapor present in the air condenses.
Step Three: Precipitation
Precipitation is where the water from the clouds returns to the ground or sea via rain, snow, or sleet. Water precipitates from clouds when the temperature drops in the air. This usually occurs when a cold front meets the warm air, but it could also happen when a cloud climbs up a mountain which gets colder at high altitudes.
Step four: Water Movement
The water that falls on land usually flows downhill into surface waters. This water is called run-off. The water recharges nearby streams and rivers. Some water soaks the ground and some of that water enters the groundwater reserves through a process called infiltration. In infiltration, water seeps into the ground through rock sediments, but it is stopped by a layer of impenetrable rock. Ground saturation of water also forms lakes and rivers and other land locked water bodies. From these rivers the water is transported to the ocean. This is called discharge. Water throughout this movement can reenter the water cycle again.
Evaporation is where the heated water turns into a gas called water vapor. Water is usually energized by the sun; when the heat received is enough, it changes into the gaseous state. It takes an enormous amount of heat to cause water to evaporate. It takes about 600 calories (2,510 joules) for one gram of water to evaporate. Atmospheric pressure also plays a role in the evaporation rate. Water is also present in plants. The water of the plant is removed through a process called transpiration. In transpiration water is evaporated in the plant and leaves through the stomata (or holes) of the plant.
An average tree can transpire hundred of gallons of water into the air every day.
Step Two: Condensation
Condensation is the process where the water vapor turns into a liquid and forms clouds. Condensation is caused when the air cools water vapor until it reaches its saturation point. Once water reaches this point and turns into a liquid, it releases all of the energy it used to get to a gaseous state. Rain drops form when water vapor comes in contact with dust that is floating in
the air. Because of water’s polarity, dust particles moving in the air attach to more and more water molecules until it forms a rain drop. The most common particle in clouds is a sea salt which is an ion that water can bond to. Condensation forms clouds, dew, and fog. A cloud is a mass of water or ice droplets suspended in the air. Clouds are very important because they transport water from different locations. The movement of clouds over an ocean to land is called transport. Fog is an example of a cloud that has occurred near the ground. Dew forms as the water vapor present in the air condenses.
Step Three: Precipitation
Precipitation is where the water from the clouds returns to the ground or sea via rain, snow, or sleet. Water precipitates from clouds when the temperature drops in the air. This usually occurs when a cold front meets the warm air, but it could also happen when a cloud climbs up a mountain which gets colder at high altitudes.
Step four: Water Movement
The water that falls on land usually flows downhill into surface waters. This water is called run-off. The water recharges nearby streams and rivers. Some water soaks the ground and some of that water enters the groundwater reserves through a process called infiltration. In infiltration, water seeps into the ground through rock sediments, but it is stopped by a layer of impenetrable rock. Ground saturation of water also forms lakes and rivers and other land locked water bodies. From these rivers the water is transported to the ocean. This is called discharge. Water throughout this movement can reenter the water cycle again.