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Precipitation, evaporation, and transpiration are all part of the water cycle.
A complex process that not only gives us water to drink, fish to eat, but also weather patterns that help grow our crops.
The Life Cycle of Water
More technically called the hydrologic cycle, it is the never-ending, worldwide process of water circulation from clouds to land, to the ocean, and back to the clouds.
Water=Life!
Water is an integral part of life on this planet. It is an odorless, tasteless, substance that covers more than three-fourths of the
Earth's surface.
Scientific Concepts
There are six important processes that make up the water cycle – Lets begin with Evaporation!
Water Cycle - Evaporation
Evaporation is the process where a liquid, in this case water, changes from its liquid state to a gaseous state. Liquid water becomes water vapor.
Water Vapor in the Atmosphere
During the water cycle some of the water in the oceans and freshwater bodies, such as lakes and rivers, is warmed by the sun and evaporates.
Which letter refers to
Evaporation?
Correct!
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Scientific Concepts
Now we will consider Condensation!
Water Cycle - Condensation
Condensation is the opposite of evaporation.
Condensation occurs when a gas is changed into a liquid. When the water droplets formed from condensation are very small, they remain suspended in the atmosphere. These droplets form clouds in the sky!
Which letter refers to
Condensation?
Correct!
You are soaring in the clouds!!
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Scientific Concepts
Now we will consider Precipitation!
Water Cycle - Precipitation
When the small droplets of water in clouds form larger droplets, precipitation occurs.
Then raindrops fall to Earth. As a result of evaporation, condensation and precipitation, water travels from the surface of the Earth goes into the atmosphere, and returns to
Earth again.
Which letter refers to
Precipitation?
Correct!
You are soaring in the clouds!!
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Scientific Concepts
Now we will consider Surface Runoff!
Water Cycle – Surface Runoff
Much of the water that returns to Earth as precipitation runs off the surface of the land and flows into rivers, and lakes.
Eventually the water flows into the ocean.
Surface runoff is an important part of the water cycle because much of the water returns to the oceans, where evaporation occurs.
Which letter refers to
Surface Runoff?
Correct!
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Scientific Concepts
Now we will consider
Subsurface Runoff or Infiltration!
Water Cycle - Infiltration
Infiltration is when rain water soaks into the ground. Some water returns to the surface at springs or in low spot. However, some of the water remains underground and is called groundwater.
Which letter refers to
Infiltration?
Correct!
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Scientific Concepts
Lastly we will consider
Transpiration!
Water Cycle – Transpiration
This final process is important in the water cycle. As plants absorb water from the soil, the water moves from the roots through the stems to the leaves. Once the water reaches the leaves, some of it evaporates, adding to the amount of water vapor in the air. This process of evaporation through plant leaves is called transpiration.
Which letter refers to
Transpiration?
Correct!
You are soaring in the clouds!!
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GREAT JOB!
YOU ARE ON FIRE!
Here is a tough one! Do you remember the only other concept that we have not covered?
Hint: It’s actually NOT a process but a “stop” for water in the cycle where it collects… is it:
A) Evaporation B) Condensation C) Accumulation D)Transpiration
Correct!
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Lets review and try again
Scientific Concepts
There are six important processes that make up the water cycle
CLOUD FORMATION:
You are about to learn more about how clouds form and produce rain!!
Are you a bit cloudy on this topic?
Then go here…
Let’s review the
Water Cycle!
Water is constantly being cycled between the atmosphere, the ocean and land. This cycling is a very important process that helps sustain life on Earth.
As the water evaporates, vapors rise and condense into clouds. The clouds move over the land, and precipitation falls in the form of rain, ice or snow. The water fills streams and rivers, and eventually flows back into the oceans where evaporation starts the process anew.
The Water Cycle!
Water's state (solid, liquid or gas) is determined mostly by temperature. Although water continuously changes states from solid to liquid to gas, the amount of water on Earth remains constant. There is as much water now as there was hundreds of millions of years ago.
Cloud Formation
Precipitation is one key to the water cycle.
Rain comes from clouds, but where do clouds come from?
Through the process of evaporation and transpiration, water moves into the atmosphere. Eventually, water returns to
Earth as precipitation.
Where are Clouds Found?
All clouds contain water vapors. You rarely ever see clouds in the desert because there is very little water to evaporate and form clouds. Coastal regions can receive a lot of rain because they pull up moisture from surrounding waters.
Why do Clouds Form?
Cloud size are influenced by many complex factors. These include: heat, seasons, mountain ranges, bodies of water, volcanic eruptions, and even global warming.
Why are there clouds in the sky?
Clouds form as warm air is forced upward, expands and cools.
When the relative humidity reaches 100%, the air is saturated.
Water vapor begins to condense in tiny drops on particles of dust, salt and smoke in the atmosphere.
These drops are so small that they can be suspended in the air.
What is Relative Humidity?
Relative humidity is a measure of the amount of water vapor in the air compared to the amount it can hold at a given temperature.
Once the RH=100% condensation occurs.
Example: Air at 40
C is saturated when it contains 20g of water vapor. If this parcel of air contains 10g of water vapor, the RH=50%
Can you calculate the RH?
Air at 30
C is saturated when it contains 16g of water vapor.
What is the RH if the air contains
12g of water vapor?
A) 25% B) 50% C) 75% D) 90% E) 125%
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Correct!
You are soaring in the clouds!!
When do the clouds form?
Once the RH has reached 100%, additional water vapor will condense back to a liquid or freeze, depending on the temperature.
The temperature at which air becomes saturated and condensation takes place is the DEW POINT temperature.
There are many funny names for clouds.
Have you ever wondered why clouds have such weird names?
In 1802 an Englishman by the name of Luke Howard invented the cloud naming system that is still in use today.
Howard used Latin names to describe clouds. (The first part of a cloud's name describes height, the second part shape.)
The prefixes denoting heights are:
– cirro , high clouds above 20,000 feet (6,250 meters)
– alto and mid level clouds between 6,000 - 20,000 feet (1,875 - 6,250 meters).
– There is no prefix for low level clouds.
Shape and Color are Important
The names denoting shapes are:
cirrus mean curly or fibrous, stratus means layered, while
cumulus means lumpy or piled.
Nimbo or nimbus is added to indicate that a cloud can produce precipitation
These are often DARK colored clouds.
We will study
(3) different cloud types:
Click on the cloud type to learn more about each one!
Click here to take the Cloud Type Quiz!
CIRRUS CLOUDS
Cirrus are detached clouds in the form of white, delicate filaments or mostly white patches of narrow bands. These clouds have a fibrous
(hair-like) appearance, or a silky sheen, or both.
STRATUS CLOUDS
Stratus is a generally a gray cloud layer with a
fairly uniform base, which may give drizzle,
ice prisms or snow grains.
When the sun is visible through the cloud, its outline is clearly discernible.
CUMULUS CLOUDS
These types of clouds are most often detached clouds, generally dense and with sharp outlines.
The sunlit parts of these clouds are mostly brilliant white.
They develop vertically in the form of rising mounds, domes or towers, having their bases located in the low level stage.
Cloud Type Quiz
Using the pictures and the clues provided, see if you can identify the following clouds!
Cloud Quiz #1
These clouds appear fibrous or curly.
They are high, thin, white, feathery clouds containing ice crystals
Hint:
These clouds are
“CIRRIOUS-ly High!
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CIRRUS CLOUDS
Cirrus are detached clouds in the form of white, delicate filaments or mostly white patches of narrow bands. These clouds have a fibrous
(hair-like) appearance, or a silky sheen, or both.
Correct!
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These clouds generally fill the sky and are often associated with steady rainfall.
Cloud Quiz #2
Hint: When the sun shines through these clouds you can clearly see their outline!
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STRATUS CLOUDS
Stratus is a generally a gray cloud layer with a
fairly uniform base, which may give drizzle,
ice prisms or snow grains.
When the sun is visible through the cloud, its outline is clearly discernible.
Correct!
You are soaring in the clouds!!
These clouds are masses of puffy white clouds, often with flat bases. The may tower to great heights and can be associated with both fair weather and thunderstorms.
Cloud Quiz #3
Hint:
These clouds look like giant cotton balls!!
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CUMULUS CLOUDS
These types of clouds are most often detached clouds, generally dense and with sharp outlines.
The sunlit parts of these clouds are mostly brilliant white.
They develop vertically in the form of rising mounds, domes or towers, having their bases located in the low level stage.
Correct!
You are soaring in the clouds!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!
You have completed this portion of the weather unit on
CLOUD Formation and Types!
Now you are ready to learn about
Severe Weather and Thunderstorms!!
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