Why are there Differences in Precipitation?
Learning Target
Students create a model that shows how water continually cycles among land, ocean, and atmosphere via transpiration, evaporation, condensation and crystallization, and precipitation, as well as downhill flows on land.
Success Criteria
I can create a model (diagram) of the water cycle
I can identify the most important elements of the water cycle
Questions to Ponder
Where does rain come from and why does it rain?
Are there any predictable patterns that can be seen in precipitation?
Why Does it Rain? - Demonstration
In the Why Does It Rain Demonstration you will observe a closed model of the water cycle. As you observe the model make notes about any changes that you see.
Copy the Water Cycle Diagram below. Use the terms below to identify the numbers on the diagram.
Use the Following Terms to Create a Water Cycle Diagram
condensation – water vapor changing to a liquid state
evaporation – liquid turning into a vapor (gas)
precipitation – water falling from the sky in the form of rain, sleet, hail, or snow
runoff – rainwater that falls back into lakes, rivers, or streams soaking into the earth and becoming part of the groundwater
Are there any other terms you think should be included in a Water Cycle Diagram?
Water Cycle Websites
Water Cycle Diagram
Patterns of Precipitation
Read Page 157-165 in the Weather Watch Text to find out more about patterns of precipitation.
The Rain Shadow Effect
Meteorology