The Water Cycle

Front 1

Condensation

Back 1

The process by which water vapor in the air is changed into liquid water.

It's crucial to the water cycle because it is responsible for the formation of clouds.

It is the opposite of evaporation.

Front 2

Precipitation

Back 2

Water released from clouds in the form of rain, freezing rain, sleet, snow, or hail.

It is the primary connection in the water cycle that provides for the delivery of atmospheric water to the Earth. Most falls as rain.

Front 3

Runoff

Back 3

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.

Front 4

Perculation

Back 4

Rainfall seeps underground through this process, where water travels downwards through the tiny spaces between rocks and soil particles.

The water eventually saturates the underlying rock much like water fills the tiny holes of a sponge. This helps to replenish aquifers under the ground.

Front 5

Groundwater

Back 5

Part of the water cycle. Some part of the precipitation that lands on the ground surface infiltrates into the subsurface.

The part that continues downward through the soil until it reaches rock material that is saturated is recharge.

Front 6

Evaporation

Back 6

The process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapor.

It's the primary pathway that water moves from the liquid state back into the water cycle as atmospheric water vapor.

Front 7

Transpiration

Back 7

This is the discharge of water vapor from the leaves of plants into the atmosphere.

It is a process that the eye cannot see, even though the amounts of moisture involved it significant.