How does water evaporation work?
Evaporation happens when a liquid substance becomes a gas. When water is heated, it evaporates. The molecules move and vibrate so quickly that they escape into the atmosphere as molecules of water vapor. Once water evaporates, it also helps form clouds.
What is the process of water evaporation called?
In hydrology, evaporation and transpiration (which involves evaporation within plant stomata) are collectively termed evapotranspiration. Evaporation of water occurs when the surface of the liquid is exposed, allowing molecules to escape and form water vapor; this vapor can then rise up and form clouds.
What role does evaporation have in the water cycle?
Evaporation is the primary pathway that water moves from the liquid state back into the water cycle as atmospheric water vapor. Studies have shown that the oceans , seas, lakes, and rivers provide nearly 90 percent of the moisture in the atmosphere via evaporation, with the remaining 10 percent being contributed by plant transpiration .
Why is evaporation the first step of the water cycle?
Evaporation is the first step of the water cycle. In this process where water at the surface like river, lake, ocean turn into water vapors. Naturally, water absorbs the heat energy from the sun, and that set the water into mists. The primary source of the water evaporation are oceans, the seas, the river, lakes and surface runoff water.
How does evaporation relate to the water cycle?
Evaporation drives the water cycle. Evaporation from the oceans is the primary mechanism supporting the surface-to-atmosphere portion of the water cycle. After all, the large surface area of the oceans (over 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by the oceans) provides the opportunity for large-scale evaporation to occur.
What happens during evaporation the water cycle?
Evaporation. The water cycle usually begins with evaporation. During evaporation, surface water like oceans, lakes, and rivers absorb the heat radiated by the sun. This water then turns into vapors. Here, water changes from liquid to gaseous form. Then, it moves from the hydrosphere to the atmosphere. This process helps in cooling down the water sources.