The Water Cycle

1. Evaporation

1.1. The sun heats up the water in lakes, streams, rivers, & oceans

1.2. Heated water turns to vapor

1.3. Vapor rise into the air

1.4. This is evaporation!

2. Condensation

2.1. The vapor in the air cools down

2.2. Once it cools down, it turns back to a liquid

2.3. The liquid now forms a cloud

2.4. This is condensation!

3. Precipitation

3.1. After water condenses, it gets heavy

3.2. The air can't hold all the water and it falls to earth

3.3. Precipitation can be: rain, sleet, hail, or snow

3.4. This is precipitation!

4. Collection

4.1. During precipitation, water falls to the earth

4.2. The water either falls on the ground or into bodies of water

4.3. If it falls onto the ground, it is soaked up to nourish the soil

4.4. This is called collection!