The Water Cycle — Fun Science
Water on Earth is always moving in a cycle — it never disappears, it just changes form between liquid, gas and solid.
Learn
- The Sun heats water in rivers, lakes and seas. The water turns into an invisible gas called water vapour and rises. This is called evaporation.
- High up, the air is cooler. The vapour turns back into tiny water drops that form clouds. This is called condensation.
- When the drops get too heavy, they fall as rain, snow or hail. This is called precipitation.
- The water flows back into rivers and seas, and the cycle begins again.
Try These Questions
- What is it called when water turns into vapour and rises?
Answer: Evaporation
Hint: The Sun heats the water and it "evaporates". - What is it called when vapour turns back into water drops in clouds?
Answer: Condensation
Hint: The vapour "condenses" into drops. - What is rain, snow and hail an example of?
Answer: Precipitation
Hint: Water falling from the sky.
Make a Mini Water Cycle in a Bag
- Draw a sun and clouds on a clear zip-lock bag with a marker.
- Add a small amount of water and seal the bag tightly.
- Tape the bag to a sunny window.
- Check it throughout the day. You should see drops forming on the inside — that is condensation!
Safety: Ask an adult to help tape the bag to the window.
Challenge Quiz
- What heats water so it turns into vapour?
Answer: The Sun - What is evaporation?
Answer: Water turning into vapour - What is condensation?
Answer: Vapour turning into water drops - What is precipitation?
Answer: Water falling as rain or snow - Does water on Earth ever disappear?
Answer: No, it just changes form