Lesson 9 of 10
🌧 The Water Cycle
What You'll Learn
- Name and describe the four stages of the water cycle
- Understand why the water cycle never stops
- Connect evaporation and condensation to everyday observations
Water Is Always Moving
The water cycle (also called the hydrological cycle) is the continuous movement of water through Earth's environment. The same water has been cycling for billions of years — the water in your glass might have been part of a dinosaur's river!
The four main stages:
- ☀ Evaporation — heat from the sun turns liquid water into water vapor, which rises into the atmosphere
- ⛈ Condensation — water vapor cools as it rises and turns back into tiny liquid droplets, forming clouds
- 🌧 Precipitation — water droplets in clouds combine and fall as rain, snow, sleet, or hail
- 🌈 Collection — water collects in oceans, rivers, and lakes, or soaks into the ground (groundwater)
Fun Fact
About 97% of Earth's water is in the oceans (salt water). Only 3% is fresh water, and most of that is frozen in glaciers and ice caps. Less than 1% of Earth's water is accessible fresh water for humans and land animals!
🌧 Virtual Lab: Animated Water Cycle
Click each stage label to learn more, or click Animate to watch the cycle in motion!
Click Animate to watch the water cycle, or click a stage to learn about it.
Quick Check
What process turns liquid water into water vapor?
What forms when water vapor cools and turns back into tiny liquid droplets?