Water Cycle Processes: Evaporation and Condensation

Water Cycle Processes

Evaporation

• The process by which liquid water is transformed into water vapor
• Occurs at the surface of the Earth, such as oceans, lakes, and rivers
• Also occurs through plant transpiration and soil evaporation
• Energy from the sun is required to evaporate water
• Water vapor rises into the air as gas molecules absorb heat
• Rising air currents carry water vapor upward into the atmosphere
• Higher in the atmosphere, water vapor condenses into tiny droplets
• Forms clouds, fog, or dew, depending on the conditions.

Evaporation

• The process by which liquid water is transformed into water vapor
• Occurs at the surface of the Earth, such as oceans, lakes, and rivers
• Also occurs through plant transpiration and soil evaporation
• Energy from the sun is required to evaporate water
• Water vapor rises into the air as gas

Condensation

• The process by which water vapor is transformed back into liquid water
• Occurs when water vapor cools and changes state from gas to liquid
• Forms clouds, fog, and dew
• Releases heat energy into the atmosphere

Precipitation

• The process by which water falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface
• Forms of precipitation include rain, snow, sleet, and hail
• Occurs when air reaches its dew point and can no longer hold water vapor
• Precipitation can be influenced by wind patterns, topography, and temperature

Runoff

• The process by which water flows over the Earth's surface
• Occurs when precipitation exceeds the ability of the soil to absorb water
• Can collect in low-lying areas and flow into streams, rivers, and lakes
• Runoff can cause erosion and transport sediment and nutrients

Transpiration

• The process by which plants release water vapor into the air
• Occurs through small openings on plant leaves called stomata
• Plants absorb water from the soil and release it as water vapor
• Transpiration is an important part of the water cycle, as it helps to recycle water back into the atmosphere

Water Cycle Processes

Evaporation

• Liquid water transforms into water vapor through evaporation, mainly at the surface of oceans, lakes, and rivers, as well as through plant transpiration and soil evaporation.
• Energy from the sun is required for evaporation to occur, and the resulting water vapor rises into the air as gas.

Condensation

• Condensation occurs when water vapor cools, changing state from gas to liquid, forming clouds, fog, and dew.
• Heat energy is released into the atmosphere during condensation.

Precipitation

• Precipitation occurs when air reaches its dew point, causing water vapor to condense and fall to the Earth's surface as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
• Wind patterns, topography, and temperature can influence precipitation.

Runoff

• Runoff occurs when precipitation exceeds the soil's absorption capacity, causing water to flow over the Earth's surface and collect in low-lying areas.
• Runoff can flow into streams, rivers, and lakes, and can cause erosion, transporting sediment and nutrients.

Transpiration

• Plants release water vapor into the air through small openings on leaves called stomata, absorbing water from the soil and releasing it as water vapor.
• Transpiration is a crucial part of the water cycle, recycling water back into the atmosphere.