The Water Cycle

The Water Cycle

By: Jen Engel

The water cycle is the continuous motion of water above and below the Earth's surface. Because it is a cylce, there is no definite beginning or end point to the cycle. The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, consists of four distinct stages. The stages being evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection. All four play equal and essential roles in the sustaining of the water cycle.

The first stage in the water cycle is known as evaporation . In this stage, water from lakes, rivers, oceans and streams turns into water vapor and evaporates, or rises up, to the sky. It is important to realize that it is not liquid that is rises to the sky, but instead a gas. Water transforms into water vapor, a gas, so it can evaporate.

The second stage of the water cycle is condensation . Condensation is the transformation of water vapor into liquid. This is the stage of the water cycle that creates clouds, which are necessary for rain and snow formation.

Precipitation is the third stage of the water cycle. Precipitation is any form of water that comes from the sky. It can be rain, snow, sleet, hail or freezing rain. Precipitation helps maintain life on Earth as all life requires water. In the precipitation stage, some form of water will contact the Earth and living things.

After precipitation occurs, the water must collect on land or in a body of water or below the Earth. The water can soak into the ground to become "ground water" or it can be quickly reused again for evaporation and the continuation of the water cycle.

The Earth has a very limited amount of water. Without the water cycle, we would run out of water. Water must be recycled and reused through the water cycle to keep the Earth functioning.