Student+resources-water+cycle

Home page>>Introduction>>Teacher Resources>>References PRECIPITATION:

Precipitation is classed as water falling from the sky in the form of rain, hail, snow and sleet. It is the most important part in the water cycle and mostly water falls to the earth in the form of rain. It falls from clouds in the sky which are constantly shrinking (evaporating) and expanding (condensation). Rain doesn’t just fall from the sky; firstly it must have a tiny molecule of smoke, salt or dust to act as a centre point so when a cloud condensates, this molecule can be moved around in the cloud until eventually, it’s heavy enough to fall as a raindrop. Snow happens when it’s extremely cold and hail is when they built up so much it becomes an ice ball and then eventually falls. It is most popular in winter in the cooler months.

http://rgeegallega.blogspot.com.au/2009/10/evaporation-condensation-precipitation.html

EVAPORATION:

Evaporation is the process where a liquid changes from a solid to a gas or vapour. Suppose you leave a jug of water out on your outdoor table. If you come back a few hours later, there will be less water. The water level has changed because evaporation has occurred. Some of the water has changed from liquid water into water vapor and risen to make clouds.

Evaporation is an important part of the water cycle. The sun (solar energy) gives the water such as oceans and lakes as well as land, energy and heats it so evaporation can occur. When water is heated the molecules speed up allowing them to break free from there bonds and change from the water solid to the water vapor or gas. This vapour then rises up and form clouds.

http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/%28Gh%29/guides/mtr/hyd/evap.rxml

CONDENSATION:

Condensation is the process where gas turns into liquid and forms clouds. After evaporation occurs the gases cool and therefore as a result the condensation rate increases which allows for more clouds to form. Evaporation occurs and water vapour rises the water vapour cools. The water molecules then clump together faster than they are torn apart which therefore make clouds.

http://kefacoat.com/what-can-kefa-do/condensation/