Water Cycle Vocab

Water CycleWhen Madeline asked Orlando why he was

watching the puddle evaporate he said, “Duh, I’m observing the water cycle.”

Water Cycle DefinitionThe continuous process by which water

moves from Earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back, passing through the living and nonliving parts of the environment.

CondensationWhen Justin has an itch to see condensation,

he looks at the clouds.

Condensation Definition The process by which a gas, such as water

vapor, changes to a liquid (water)

Water VaporSummer thought it’s so humid out here, there

must be a lot of water vapor in the air.

Water Vapor Definition The invisible gaseous form of water

EvaporationWhen Luke asked Jake if he drank all his

juice, he responded, “No, it evaporated!”

Evaporation DefinitionThe process by which molecules at the

surface of a liquid, such as water, absorb enough energy to change to a gaseous state, such as water vapor.

Transpiration Since there are a lot of plants in Maggie’s

yard, there is a lot of transpiration.

Transpiration DefinitionThe process by which plants release water

vapor through their leaves.

Precipitation Cade ran around with his mouth open trying

to catch as much precipitation as possible.

Precipitation DefinitionForms of water such as rain, snow, sleet, or

hail that fall from clouds and reach Earth’s surface

RunoffSince most of the soil in Ashton’s yard is clay,

there is a lot of runoff when it rains.

Runoff DefinitionWater that flows over the grounds surface

rather than soaking into the ground.

IrrigationWhen Sophie saw the geyser shooting up in

her front yard she shouted, “My irrigation system is broken!”

Irrigation DefinitionThe process of supplying water to areas of

land to make them suitable for growing crops.

SublimationAs Ashlyn watched the dry ice turn to smoke

in the air, she whispered, “Sublimation is so cool. Whoooaa”

Sublimation DefinitionThe process of changing from a solid to a gas,

without passing through the liquid phase.

GroundwaterAshna wants to use the groundwater in her

back yard, so she is going to dig a well.

Groundwater Definition Water that fills the cracks and pores in

underground soil and rock layers.