Earth Science · StudentHub Lesson
The water cycle
How water moves between oceans, air and land through evaporation, condensation and precipitation.
15 minBeginner
01
What you will learn
- Name the main stages of the water cycle
- Explain the role of the Sun's energy
- Describe how clouds form
- Explain runoff and infiltration
- Link the water cycle to weather
02
Watch the lesson
We haven’t confirmed a lesson video that matches this topic closely enough yet, so the notes below are the lesson for now. A recommended video will be added once we’ve checked one properly.
03
Topic notes
Main Idea
The water cycle is the continuous movement of water around the Earth, powered by energy from the Sun and by gravity.
Key Concepts
- Evaporation turns liquid water into water vapour
- Transpiration releases water vapour from plants
- Condensation forms clouds as vapour cools
- Precipitation returns water to the surface
- Runoff and infiltration move water back to rivers, oceans and groundwater
Definitions
- Evaporation: The change from liquid water to water vapour.
- Condensation: The change from water vapour to liquid droplets when it cools.
- Precipitation: Water falling from clouds as rain, snow, sleet or hail.
- Infiltration: Water soaking into the ground.
Common Mistakes
- Thinking clouds are made of water vapour (they are tiny liquid droplets or ice)
- Forgetting the Sun powers evaporation
- Thinking water is created or destroyed in the cycle
04
Key concepts
Evaporation turns liquid water into water vapourTranspiration releases water vapour from plantsCondensation forms clouds as vapour coolsPrecipitation returns water to the surfaceRunoff and infiltration move water back to rivers, oceans and groundwater
05
Important terms
- Evaporation
- The change from liquid water to water vapour.
- Condensation
- The change from water vapour to liquid droplets when it cools.
- Precipitation
- Water falling from clouds as rain, snow, sleet or hail.
- Infiltration
- Water soaking into the ground.
06
Quick revision
- Sun drives evaporation
- Plants transpire
- Cooling vapour condenses into clouds
- Precipitation falls
- Runoff and infiltration
- Total water stays the same
07
Check your understanding
Question 1 · Multiple choice
Which process forms clouds?
Question 2 · Short answer
What provides the energy for evaporation?
Question 3 · True or false
Transpiration is water vapour released by plants.
Done with The water cycle?
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