Science
Updated August 1, 2010
Earth and Space Sciences
NM Strand, Standard,
Benchmark-Performance Standard
II, III, II-2
Understand the unique role water plays on
Earth, including:
 ability to remain liquid at most Earth
temperatures
 properties of water related to
processes in the water cycle:
evaporation, condensation,
precipitation, surface run-off,
percolation
 dissolving of minerals and gases and
transport to the oceans
 fresh and salt water in oceans, rivers,
lakes, and glaciers
 reactant in photosynthesis
Atmospheric Processes and the Water
Cycle
Eighth Grade
Complex
Simple
The student will understand or be able to:
The student will know or be able to:

understand the properties of water as they 
relate to the water cycle: percolation,
evaporation, condensation and
precipitation

understand water’s ability to remain
liquid at most Earth temperatures
describe the process through which water
dissolves minerals (reactants and
dissolvents)
The student will recognize and recall the
following vocabulary words:



percolation
dissolve
reactant