What plays the largest role in the water cycle?
The ocean plays a key role in this vital cycle of water. The ocean holds 97% of the total water on the planet; 78% of global precipitation occurs over the ocean, and it is the source of 86% of global evaporation. Water evaporates from the surface of the ocean, mostly in warm, cloud-free subtropical seas.
What are the major parts of the water cycle?
The water cycle consists of three major processes: evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Evaporation is the process of a liquid’s surface changing to a gas. In the water cycle, liquid water (in the ocean, lakes, or rivers) evaporates and becomes water vapor.
What are the two most important stages of the water cycle?
Condensation: This is when water vapour in the air cools down and turns back into liquid water. Precipitation: This is when water (in the form of rain, snow, hail or sleet) falls from clouds in the sky.
What are the 5 steps of the water cycle?
The entire process of water cycle takes place in almost five steps which includes the evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff. To begin with, water gets evaporated from the water bodies on the surface of earth like rivers, oceans etc. into the overlying atmosphere.
What are the components of the water cycle?
The water cycle or hydrological cycle is the process by which water circulates through the different components of the hydrosphere. The hydrosphere is composed of oceans, rivers, seas, clouds, rain, glaciers and other means in which water accumulates in its different states.
What drives the water cycle?
The sun, which drives the water cycle, heats water in oceans and seas. Water evaporates as water vapor into the air. Some ice and snow sublimates directly into water vapor.
What are some interesting facts about the water cycle?
Interesting Water Cycle Facts: Water is a resource that cannot be created by man. The sun is the driving force of the water cycle. Whenever water changes from one state to another and moves from one place to another, it either gives off energy or absorbs energy.