The water cycle
I can recognise, describe and sequence processes in the water cycle.
The water cycle
I can recognise, describe and sequence processes in the water cycle.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- There are four main processes in the water cycle. Evaporation of liquid water creates water vapour in the atmosphere.
- Air containing water vapour rises, then cools down causing condensation which turns water vapour into droplets of water.
- Water droplets in clouds grow bigger and bigger until they fall from the clouds as wet weather called precipitation.
- Precipitation is then collected and stored in water bodies, or by vegetation, or soaks into the ground or down drains.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that new water is formed by the water cycle.
The amount of water on earth is the same as it always has been. It is constant. Water can be distributed and stored in different ways and in different places over time but new water is never added to or created by the water cycle.
Keywords
Process - A process is an ordered series of actions, events or changes that make something happen.
Liquid - A liquid is a form of matter that can flow and does not have a specific shape like solid matter does.
Water vapour - Water vapour is water in a gas form rather than liquid form, for example when it evaporates from being heated.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
The sun heats water and it turns to water vapour.
Water vapour rises, cools and forms water droplets.
The water droplets get heavier and fall back down to Earth.
Precipitation is stored in lakes, oceans and rivers.