Question:
Explain water cycle.
Sure, here is an explanation of the water cycle, listed in point form:
- Evaporation
- Heat from the sun causes water from oceans, lakes, and rivers to evaporate and form water vapor in the atmosphere
- Condensation
- Water vapor in the atmosphere cools and condenses into clouds
- Precipitation
- Clouds release water in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail
- Infiltration
- Precipitation that falls on land can seep into the ground, replenishing groundwater supplies
- Runoff
- Precipitation that does not infiltrate the ground flows over the land as runoff, eventually making its way into rivers, lakes, and oceans
- Transpiration
- Plants absorb water from the soil and release it into the atmosphere through a process called transpiration
- Surface water storage
- Water can be stored on the Earth’s surface in the form of rivers, lakes, and oceans
The water cycle is a continuous process, with water moving through these stages over and over again. It is a crucial process that helps to distribute water around the Earth, ensuring that plants and animals have access to the water they need to survive.