Earth and Space Science / Unit 6: Water on Earth and the Oceans
6.1 The Water Cycle
Notes
The water cycle moves water among oceans, air, land and living things, powered by the Sun and gravity.
- Evaporation: liquid to vapor. Transpiration: plants release water vapor.
- Condensation: vapor to liquid, forming clouds.
- Precipitation: rain, snow, sleet, hail.
- Runoff flows over land; infiltration soaks into the ground.
- About 97% of Earth's water is salt water; of the fresh water, most is frozen in ice caps and glaciers.
Practice
Which process puts water vapor into the air from plant leaves?
Plants release water through leaves.
What powers the water cycle?
Solar energy evaporates water; gravity brings it down.
Most of Earth's fresh water is found in:
About 69% of fresh water is frozen.
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