The Water Cycle

Remember that the water cycle transports water all over the Earth. Watch this short video from NASA to help you remember the steps in the water cycle. After the video, we’ll learn about how the water cycle creates weather patterns.

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Video Transcript. Water is essential to all life on earth, but how is the water dispersed? This animation shows one molecule of water completing the water cycle. Heat from the Sun causes the molecule to evaporate from the ocean's surface. Once it evaporates, it is transported into and through the atmosphere where water vapor condenses, releasing its heat to form clouds. The water molecule might move half-way around the world before it falls as rain or snow. Once on land, it will either re-evaporate, be used by a plant, drain to the water table, or enter a stream. Streams and rivers bring the water molecule back to where it started - the ocean. Soon the water molecule will begin its journey again. Now you know how the water cycle, powered by the Sun, distributes water and heat around the world.

Video Transcript. Water is essential to all life on earth, but how is the water dispersed? This animation shows one molecule of water completing the water cycle. Heat from the Sun causes the molecule to evaporate from the ocean's surface. Once it evaporates, it is transported into and through the atmosphere where water vapor condenses, releasing its heat to form clouds. The water molecule might move half-way around the world before it falls as rain or snow. Once on land, it will either re-evaporate, be used by a plant, drain to the water table, or enter a stream. Streams and rivers bring the water molecule back to where it started - the ocean. Soon the water molecule will begin its journey again. Now you know how the water cycle, powered by the Sun, distributes water and heat around the world.

NASA | A Tour of the Water Cycle