Water Cycle

The Water Cycle

Water constantly moves through a natural cycle of evaporation, condensation and precipitation which cleans water and allows it to move around the earth. This is known as the water cycle.

Evaporation

Energy from the Sun heats the Earth’s surface and water evaporates from oceans, rivers and lakes. The warm air rises, carrying water vapour with it.

Transpiration

Transpiration from plants releases water vapour into the air.

Condensation

The moist air cools down as it rises. Water vapour condenses back into liquid water, and this condensation process produces clouds.

Precipitation

As the water droplets in the cloud get bigger and heavier, they begin to fall as rain, snow and sleet. This is called precipitation.