The Water Cycle: Evaporation (Part 2)

What You'll Learn

The water cycle describes how water moves through Earth's systems. Water evaporates from oceans, condenses into clouds, falls as precipitation, and flows back to the ocean.

Key Words

tectonic plates
earthquake
volcano

Materials Needed

rocks
sand
clay
water
plastic tray

Safety First

Wash hands after handling materials.
Be careful with scissors — ask an adult for help if needed.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Read about Natural Resources and write down three key facts.

Step 2 — Do

Model erosion: tilt a tray of soil and pour water from a cup at the top. Observe how channels form. Try adding plants or rocks to slow the erosion.

Step 3 — Observe

Observe what happens and describe it in detail.

Step 4 — Record

Record your observations in your science journal with measurements and descriptions.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

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What is the water cycle?