Water Cycle 4th Grade Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is the water cycle?

The way that water moves from being water to vapor and then back to water

What is evaporation?

When the sun heats up water in rivers, lakes, or the ocean and turns it into vapor or steam

What happens during condensation?

Water vapor in the air gets cold and changes back into liquid, forming clouds

What is precipitation?

When water in the form of ice, rain, sleet, hail, or snow falls to Earth Signup and view all the answers

What is runoff?

When precipitation hits the ground, it is either absorbed or it flows over the surface of the earth Signup and view all the answers

What causes evaporation?

The sun Signup and view all the answers

What are tributaries?

When runoff joins another stream or joins with another river Signup and view all the answers

What role does the sun play in the water cycle?

It provides energy or heat that makes the water cycle work Signup and view all the answers

What is the water table?

The underground surface below which the ground is wholly saturated with water Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Water Cycle Overview

The water cycle describes the continuous movement of water between its liquid and vapor states, returning to liquid form.

Evaporation

Evaporation occurs when sunlight heats water from sources like rivers, lakes, or oceans, converting it into vapor or steam.
This process is essential for initiating the water cycle.

Condensation

Condensation happens when water vapor cools and transforms back into liquid droplets, resulting in cloud formation.

Precipitation

Precipitation occurs when water falls back to Earth in various forms, including rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Runoff

Runoff is the movement of water across the Earth’s surface after precipitation; it can either be absorbed by the soil or flow over the land.

Tributaries

Tributaries are smaller streams or rivers that join larger bodies of water, transferring runoff and contributing to water flow.

Importance of the Sun

The sun acts as a crucial energy source that drives the water cycle by providing heat necessary for evaporation.

Water Table

The water table is the underground boundary where the ground becomes completely saturated with water, indicating the level of groundwater.

Description

Test your knowledge of the water cycle with this quiz designed for 4th graders. Explore key concepts such as evaporation, condensation, and precipitation through definitions and diagrams. Perfect for reinforcing classroom learning!