The Water Cycle

Water moves around our planet in a continuous cycle. It never stops!

The Four Stages

1. Evaporation — The sun heats water in rivers, lakes, and oceans. It turns into water vapour (gas) and rises into the sky.

2. Condensation — As water vapour rises, it cools down. It turns back into tiny water droplets, forming clouds.

3. Precipitation — When clouds get too heavy with water, it falls as rain, snow, hail, or sleet.

4. Collection — Water falls back to the ground. It flows into rivers, lakes, and oceans. Some soaks into the ground (infiltration). Then the cycle starts again!

Key Facts

• The water cycle has no beginning and no end
• The same water that dinosaurs drank is still on Earth today!
• About 71% of Earth's surface is covered in water
• Only 3% of Earth's water is fresh (not salty)

Activity: Make a Mini Water Cycle

1. Put warm water in a clear plastic cup
2. Cover with cling film
3. Place in the sun
4. Watch condensation form on the film, then 'rain' fall back down!

Key Vocabulary

• Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation, Collection, Water vapour, Infiltration