🌧️ Basic Stages of the Water Cycle:
1. Evaporation – Water turns from liquid to vapor (usually from oceans, lakes, rivers).
2. Condensation – Water vapor cools and forms clouds.
3. Precipitation – Water falls back to Earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
4. Collection (Accumulation) – Water gathers in bodies like rivers, lakes, and oceans.
💧 Other Key Processes:
● Transpiration – Plants release water vapor from their leaves.
● Infiltration – Water seeps into the ground and becomes groundwater.
● Percolation – Water moves deeper underground through soil and rock.
● Runoff – Water flows over the surface of the Earth into lakes and rivers.
🌎 Fun Facts:
● The water we drink today may be the same water dinosaurs drank!
● The water cycle is powered by the sun.
● Only about 0.3% of the Earth's freshwater is easily accessible on the surface.
● Clouds can carry millions of tons of water!
🔁 The Cycle is Continuous:
● The water cycle doesn’t have a real “start” or “end.”
● It’s a closed system – the Earth doesn’t gain or lose water overall.
💥 Human Impact:
● Deforestation can reduce transpiration and mess with rainfall patterns.
● Urbanization increases runoff and decreases infiltration.
● Climate change can intensify the water cycle—more extreme weather!
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