Water Cycle Vocab '25

The constant movement of water through the land, air, oceans, and living things

• atmosphere

• radiant energy

• thermal energy

• water cycle

The total kinetic (motion) energy of the tiny particles that make up matter; the faster the particles move, the warmer the matter becomes.

• atmosphere

• radiant energy

• thermal energy

• water cycle

The layer of gas surrounding a planet that is held in place by gravity.

• atmosphere

• radiant energy

• thermal energy

• water cycle

Energy from the Sun that reaches Earth as visible light, ultraviolet radiation, and infrared (heat) radiation.

• atmosphere

• radiant energy

• thermal energy

• water cycle

Rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls from clouds in the sky.

• condensation

• evaporation

• transpiration

• precipitation

Change of a liquid to a vapor or gas.

• condensation

• evaporation

• transpiration

• precipitation

The process by which plants lose water (water vapor) through the stomata in their leaves.

• condensation

• evaporation

• transpiration

• precipitation

The change from a gas state to a liquid state.

• condensation

• evaporation

• transpiration

• precipitation

Rainfall and surface water that drain or flow from the land into streams, rivers, lakes, or the ocean.

• ground water

• surface water

• runoff

Water that collects in cracks and pores in underground soil and rock layers.

• ground water

• surface water

• runoff