What is the movement of water called a cycle?
The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, describes the continuous movement of water as it makes a circuit from the oceans to the atmosphere to the Earth and on again. Most of Earth’s water is in the oceans. The sun, which drives the water cycle, heats water in the oceans.
What is it called when a liquid turns into a gas in the water cycle?
Evaporation happens when a liquid turns into a gas. It can be easily visualized when rain puddles “disappear” on a hot day or when wet clothes dry in the sun. In these examples, the liquid water is not actually vanishing—it is evaporating into a gas, called water vapor.
What is gas in the water cycle?
When water absorbs enough heat, it becomes a gas (water vapor). This process is called evaporation. Water vapor (steam) mixes with the air and seems to disappear.
What are the 4 stages of hydrologic cycle?
There are four main stages in the water cycle. They are evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection. Let’s look at each of these stages. Evaporation: This is when warmth from the sun causes water from oceans, lakes, streams, ice and soils to rise into the air and turn into water vapour (gas).
Why is the movement of water called a cycle?
Water moves along a variety of pathways in this closed system. This system of movement is called the “water cycle.” Water evaporates at the ocean surface and then moves as water vapor to the continents. The water vapor condenses and falls as precipitation onto the continents.
When does water move from a liquid to a gas?
Evaporation is the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapor. Evaporation is the primary pathway that water moves from the liquid state back into the water cycle as atmospheric water vapor.
What happens to water in the water cycle?
As it moves through this cycle, it changes forms. Water is the only substance that naturally exists in three states on Earth – solid, liquid, and gas. Over 96% of total global water is in the ocean, so let’s start there. Energy from the sun causes water on the surface to evaporate into water vapor – a gas.
How does water move from the ocean to the atmosphere?
Clouds are tiny droplets of liquid water or small ice crystals. Water at the surface of the ocean, rivers, and lakes can become water vapor and move into the atmosphere with a little added energy from the Sun through a process called evaporation. Snow and ice can also become water vapor through a process called sublimation.
Which is an example of condensation in the water cycle?
Downloadable Water Cycle Products (coming soon!) The air is full of water, as water vapor, even if you can’t see it. Condensation is the process of water vapor turning back into liquid water, with the best example being those big, fluffy clouds floating over your head.