Definitions of the parts of the Water Cycle

Question 1

Water evaporates

Answer 1

Heat from the Sun can make water (liquid) from the oceans, rivers or lakes evaporate to form invisible water vapour (gas) in the air in a process known as evaporation. (from Jacaranda)

Question 2

Condensation

Answer 2

Water vapour rises with warm air. Away from the Earth’s surface, the air cools down and begins turning into a liquid in a process known as condensation. (From Jacaranda)

Question 3

Clouds form

Answer 3

When the water vapour becomes cold enough, it forms clouds. (from Jacaranda)

Question 4

Clouds move and become more visible

Answer 4

The clouds are visible and move along with the air moving around them. (from Jacaranda)

Question 5

Precipitation

Answer 5

When water condenses into larger and heavier droplets, they can fall to the ground as rain, snow or hail, in a process called precipitation. (From Jacaranda)

Question 6

Rainwater run-off

Answer 6

Rainwater falls back into the ocean or on land, where it flows as rivers and streams (run-off), eventually reaching back to the ocean. (From Jacaranda)

Question 7

Transpiration

Answer 7

The run-off water can also soak into the surface soils to feed plant roots where plants will transpire (exhale) water vapour, in a process called transpiration. (From Jacaranda)

Question 8

Infiltration

Answer 8

Infiltration may occur, in which water can filter through soil and rocks to form underground water. (From Jacaranda)