Water Cycle and Precipitation

The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.

The four main stages of the water cycle are evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.

Evaporation is the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas.

Condensation is the process by which water vapor in the air changes to liquid water.

Precipitation is the process by which water falls from the sky to the Earth's surface.

Runoff is the process by which water flows over the land surface and into rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Transpiration is the process by which plants release water vapor into the atmosphere.

The troposphere is the name of the boundary between the Earth's atmosphere and the Earth's surface.

The troposphere is the name of the layer of the atmosphere where most precipitation occurs.

Condensation is the name of the process by which water vapor in the air forms clouds.

Precipitation is the name of the process by which clouds release precipitation.

Rain is the name of the type of precipitation that falls in the form of small, round drops of water.

Snow is the name of the type of precipitation that falls in the form of small, white crystals of ice.

Sleet is the name of the type of precipitation that falls in the form of a mixture of rain and snow.

Hail is the name of the type of precipitation that falls in the form of small, round balls of ice.