The Amazing Water Cycle: How Rain Happens
The Amazing Water Cycle: How Rain Happens
Have you ever wondered where rain comes from? It's all part of a fantastic journey called the water cycle! The water cycle is how water moves all around our planet, from the sky to the ground and back again. Let's dive in and see how it works!
Evaporation: Water's Big Adventure
The first step in the water cycle is evaporation. Imagine the sun shining down on a lake or the ocean. The sun's heat turns some of the water into a gas called water vapor. This water vapor rises up into the air, just like steam from a hot shower. Evaporation happens all the time, everywhere there's water!
Condensation: Forming Clouds
As the water vapor rises higher into the sky, it gets colder. The cold air causes the water vapor to turn back into tiny, tiny water droplets or ice crystals. This is called condensation. These tiny droplets and crystals join together with dust and other particles in the air to form clouds. Think of it like many, many tiny water balloons getting together to make one big, fluffy cloud.
Precipitation: Raindrops are Born
- Evaporation:
- When water turns into a gas called water vapor.
- Condensation:
- When water vapor turns back into tiny water droplets.
- Precipitation:
- Water falling from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
- Collection:
- When water gathers in rivers, lakes, and oceans.
- water vapor:
- Water in the form of an invisible gas that rises into the air when heated.
- groundwater:
- Water that soaks into the soil and is stored beneath the surface of the Earth.
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- 1What is the water cycle?
- 2What is evaporation and how does it happen?
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About this informational passage for Upper Elementary
“The Amazing Water Cycle: How Rain Happens” is a informational reading passage about Water Cycle, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (338 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.