Advanced Topics
In a nutshell: The water cycle moves water between the earth and sky, keeping everything alive.
## How Water Moves Around the Earth
Water is always moving! The water cycle explains how water travels from the ground to the sky and back again.
## Steps of the Water Cycle
- **Evaporation:** The sun heats up water in rivers, lakes, or oceans, turning it into vapor.
- **Condensation:** Water vapor cools and forms clouds.
- **Precipitation:** Water falls from clouds as rain, snow, or hail.
- **Collection:** Water gathers in rivers, lakes, and oceans, ready to start the cycle again.
## Why is the Water Cycle Important?
The water cycle gives us fresh water to drink, helps plants grow, and keeps everything alive!
## See It Yourself
- Put a small bowl of water in the sun and watch it evaporate over a few days.
- Notice how dew forms on grass in the morning (condensation).
Examples
- Rain falls, runs into streams, and eventually makes its way to the ocean.
- Steam rising from a hot sidewalk after rain is evaporation in action.
Key terms
- Evaporation
- When water turns from liquid to gas and rises into the air.
- Condensation
- When water vapor cools and turns back into liquid.
- Precipitation
- When water falls from the sky as rain, snow, or hail.