Water Cycle Vocabulary

Front

What is the sun's role in the water cycle?

Back

The sun provides thermal energy that drives the water cycle.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Front

What is precipitation?

Back

Precipitation is water that falls from clouds in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Front

What is condensation?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Front

What is water vapor?

Back

Water vapor is the gaseous state of water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Front

What is runoff?

Back

Runoff is excess water, not absorbed by the soil, that flows downhill.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Front

What is evaporation?

Back

Evaporation is the change of water from a liquid state to a gas state, due to an increase in temperature.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Front

What is the water cycle?

Back

The water cycle is the path water takes, and the changes it goes through, as it cycles through the environment.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Front

What is groundwater?

Back

Groundwater is water held underground in soil or rock.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

Front

What is the process of transpiration?

Back

Transpiration is the process by which water is absorbed by plants and released as water vapor into the atmosphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Front

What is the role of clouds in the water cycle?

Back

Clouds form when water vapor condenses in the atmosphere, and they are essential for precipitation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4