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The water cycle starts with a body of water
such as a pond, river, lake, ocean, or even a puddle. |
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The particles of water remain in the puddle
until they are heated by the suns rays. |
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As the water particles heat, they change from a
liquid to a gas called water
vapor. This process is called evaporation.
The water vapor then rises up into the air. |
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When the water vapor cools, it changes back
from a gas to a liquid. This is called condensation.
As water vapor condenses, it forms clouds. |
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When the cloud becomes too full of water
particles, it drops the water. The water falls to the Earth as rain, snow,
sleet or hail. This is called precipitation. |
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The precipitation falls back to the Earth and
rejoins the water in the ponds, rivers, lakes, and oceans. |
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Or it makes a new puddle and the water cycle
begins again.
Repeat the water cycle. |
