The Water Cycle

Condensation:

Water, in the form of gas, moves through the atmosphere.  When it gets high enough, it cools off and becomes a liquid again in the form of clouds.

Precipitation:

Water returns to the earth from the atmosphere in the form of rain, snow, hail, and sleet.

Runoff:

Water flows over the land's surface into rivers and streams, which flow into the sea.

Percolation:

Water seeps into the soil and flows underground into aquifers.

Groundwater:

Water existing below the earth's surface that normally flows to the nearest body of water.

Evaporation:

The change of water from liquid to gas by natural processes.

Transpiration:

Water moves into plants through the roots and is then lost into the atmosphere.

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