Water Cycle Lecture Notes

Vocabulary terms and definitions related to the scientific processes of the water cycle as described in the lecture notes.

Water Cycle

The process of water evaporating and condensing on planet Earth in a continuous process that has been happening for millions of years.

Evaporation

The process of water turning from a liquid into a gas, which is powered by the sun and happens faster on a hot day.

Water Vapor

Water in its gas form; it has no color and cannot be seen.

Condensation

The process of water turning from a gas into a liquid.

Dew

Condensation found on the ground, usually on grass.

Fog

Water vapor that rises only a little bit to form condensation near the ground.

Clouds

Formations made of billions and billions of tiny water droplets created when water vapor rises high and condenses.

Precipitation

Water falling back to Earth, which can happen as rain (liquid water), snow (frozen water), or hail (big pieces of frozen water).

Meteorologists

Scientists who study how water moves around the atmosphere in order to predict the weather.

Distillation process

A process where water is heated until it becomes water vapor, then rises into a special tube that allows the vapor to cool and become liquid once again.