Earth & environment · 3–4
The water cycle
The water cycle is the continuous movement of water between Earth’s surface and the atmosphere. Sunlight drives evaporation, cooling forms clouds, precipitation returns water to the ground, and collection begins the cycle again.
Quick review
Key points to remember
- The Sun provides energy for the water cycle.
- Water vapour cools and condenses into cloud droplets.
- Water returns as rain, snow, sleet or hail.
- Collected water flows or soaks into the ground.
Useful words
Topic vocabulary
- Evaporation
- Liquid water changing into water vapour.
- Condensation
- Water vapour changing into liquid droplets.
- Precipitation
- Water falling from clouds.
- Collection
- Water gathering in oceans, lakes, rivers and the ground.