The Water Cycle

Question 1

What is Evaporation?

Answer 1

The heat from the sun changes the water into water vapour which rises.

Question 2

What is condensation?

Answer 2

As water vapour rises it cools to form clouds

Question 3

What is precipitation?

Answer 3

Wind blows the clouds over land, the clouds cool further. Rain forms and falls

Question 4

What is run-off?

Answer 4

Some water forms rivers and flow back to sea. Some water soaks into land and flow back to sea

Question 5

What are cirrus clouds?

Answer 5

Wispy clouds at high altitude. They indicate fair weather

Question 6

What are cumulus clouds?

Answer 6

Woolly clouds that sometimes bring rain. They occur at medium altitude

Question 7

What are stratus clouds?

Answer 7

Dark Layers of clouds that bring rain/drizzle. They occur at low altitude

Question 8

Describe relief rain

Answer 8

• Warm moist air blows in from the sea.
• Air rises over mountains
• The air cools, condensation occurs and rain falls
• The air has lost most of its moisture. Air sinks and warms so there is less rain.
• A rain shadow is created, which receives less rain

Question 9

How is relief rain caused?

Answer 9

It’s caused when moist air is forced over mountains. The cold are then sinks and warms.

Question 10

What are the four stages of the water cycle?

Answer 10

• Evaporation
• Condensation
• Precipitation
• Run-off