The Water CycleThe Water CycleMs Pearson’s ClassMs Pearson’s Class

The Water Cycle (also known as the hydrologic cycle) is the The Water Cycle (also known as the hydrologic cycle) is the journey water takes as it circulates from the land to the sky journey water takes as it circulates from the land to the sky

and back again.and back again.

ABOUT THE WATER CYCLEABOUT THE WATER CYCLE• Earth’s Cycle is always in movementEarth’s Cycle is always in movement• Also known as the hydrologic cycle, it Also known as the hydrologic cycle, it

is a continuous movement of water is a continuous movement of water on, above, and below earth’s surface.on, above, and below earth’s surface.

• Since it is truly a CYCLE there is no Since it is truly a CYCLE there is no beginning or end.beginning or end.

PRECIPITATIONPRECIPITATION• Is condensed water vapor that falls Is condensed water vapor that falls

to the Earth's surface. to the Earth's surface. – RAINRAIN– SNOWSNOW– HAILHAIL– FOGFOG– SLEETSLEET

SNOWMELTSNOWMELT• Is the runoff produced by melting Is the runoff produced by melting

snow.snow.

RUNOFFRUNOFF• The variety of ways by which water The variety of ways by which water

moves across the landmoves across the land– Surface runoffSurface runoff– Channel runoffChannel runoff

As it flows the water may:As it flows the water may:

GO INTO THE GROUNDGO INTO THE GROUND EVAPORATE INTO THE AIREVAPORATE INTO THE AIR BECOME STORED IN THE LAKES OR RESERVOIRS BECOME STORED IN THE LAKES OR RESERVOIRS BE EXTRACTED FOR AGRICULTURAL OR OTHER BE EXTRACTED FOR AGRICULTURAL OR OTHER

HUMAN USESHUMAN USES

• INFILTRATIONINFILTRATION– is the flow of water is the flow of water

from the ground from the ground surface into the surface into the ground ground

• SURFACE FLOWSURFACE FLOW– The flow of the The flow of the

water underground.water underground.

EVAPORATIONEVAPORATION• The transformation of water from The transformation of water from

liquid to gas phases as it moves from liquid to gas phases as it moves from the ground or bodies of water into the ground or bodies of water into the atmosphere.the atmosphere.

CONDENSATIONCONDENSATION• Is the transformation of water vapor Is the transformation of water vapor

to liquid water droplets in the air. to liquid water droplets in the air. •CLOUDSCLOUDS•FOGFOG