Science LessonGOAL: TO UNDERSTAND TERMS RELATED TO THE WATER CYCLE!

Water Cycle

Definition: the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.

Example: Every time it rains!!!!

Bedrock

Definition: The hard solid rock under the surface of the Earth.

Example: a large area in the ground that is covered in rock

Sediments

Definition: Sediments are made up of small loose rocks and parts of clay made by the weathering of rocks and soil (rain and snow hitting rocks).

Example: small rocks below large rocks

Consolidated Rock

Definition: solid and tightly bound rock

Example: A large boulder!!

Unconsolidated Rock

Definition: When the weather breaks large rock into smaller ones.

Example: rocks at the bottom of a hill

Particles

Definition: a small part of something that is bigger

Example: dirt

Zone of Saturation

Definition: - The ground below the water table that is totally soaked.

Example: in the middle of a lake or stream

Aquifer

Definition: a deposit of rock such as sandstone, containing water that can be used to supply wells.

Example: a well located at a house in CT

Water Table

Definition: The top of the water surface in the saturated part of an aquifer. Line between wet and dry soil

Example: the surface of a lake

Percolation

Definition: the draining of water through a permeable surface

Example: water soaking through small rocks and then turning into runoff

Permeable

Definition: Allowing liquids or gasses to pass through.

Example: water flowing through a rock with small holes

Cold Air

Definition: helps form tiny water droplets when water vapor cools (condensation)

Example: helps condensation take place in a cloud

Condensation

Definition: Water vapor cools and turns from a gas into a liquid.

Example: water drops forming on a glass jar that has water in the bottom and a top on the top edge of the jar.

Evaporation

Definition: Water changes from a liquid to a gas (caused by heat)

Example: the water in the ocean continues to flow because it literally continues to recycle its own water!!

Runoff

Definition: precipitation that did not get (infiltrated) absorbed into the soil, or did not evaporate, and therefore made its way from the ground surface into places that water collect. 

Example: water flowing down a mountain and into a lake (see picture)

Definition: Vapor is water in a gas form.

Example: Vapor rises from a lake after it has been heated by the sun.

Water Vapor

Definition: The process of a solid changing to a gas without ever changing into a liquid.

Example: Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide and instead of melting into a liquid releases gas into the air.

Sublimation

Definition: Water droplets collect around dust to form clouds.

Example: Small particles in the air (dust) help create clouds as water vapor attaches to the dust and condensation (liquid water) occurs.

Dust

Definition: The sun provides the energy for the water cycle.

Example: The sun gives water heat so evaporation can occur.

Sun

Definition: Heat from the sun causes evaporation.

Example: Water vapor rises after it has been heated.

Heat

Transpiration

Definition: water given off from trees

Example: water given off from an Oak Tree

Precipitation

Definition: rain, snow, sleet, or hail

Example: when it rains

Collection Point

Definition: Water locations that collect water runoff such as lakes, rivers, streams, and oceans.

Example: Water collecting in a pond

Ground Water

Defintion: Water located under the Earth’s surface.

Example: Water at the bottom of the ocean.

Vegetation

Definition: plants and trees in a given location

Example: Palm Trees on the beach in Key West, Florida

Absorption

Definition: water absorbed by plant roots

Example: water soaking into plant roots

absorption

Consumption

Definition: animals or plants drinking water

Example: zebras drinking water

Perspiration

Definition: a salty, watery fluid secreted by the sweat glands of the skin, especially when very warm as a result of strenuous exertion; sweat

Example: a young lady sweats (water on their skin) after playing a basketball game

Excretion

Definition: The act or process of discharging (getting rid of) waste from the blood, tissues, or organs.

Example: urine or sweat is excreted from the body