What is the water cycle?
The water cycle is the constant journey of water from the oceans and rivers into clouds and precipitation.
It includes water in all three states:
- Liquid – rivers, lakes and underground water stores
- Solid – snow and ice
- Gas –vapour
Water is essential for all life on Earth.
Watch: The water cycle
Find out about the water cycle with this fun song.
FEMALE NEWS PRESENTER
There is this thing on Earth that happens called the Water Cycle.
Water continuously moves
From oceans, lakes to clouds to rain and then into the rivers And back to oceans pretty soon.
MALE WEATHER PRESENTER
The water moves ‘round through evaporation,
Condensation, precipitation,
Throughout all nations.
FEMALE NEWS PRESENTER
Deserts are quite dry.
MALE WEATHER PRESENTER
Same water that fills the sea
Is what you use to make tea,
And yes lots has also been wee!
FEMALE NEWS PRESENTER
(spoken) Sorry, what?
EARTH
It’s me, hi, I’m the Earth – it’s me!
The water cycle, gives me all that I need,
And I must thank my friend the Sun for helping with the process!
MALE WEATHER PRESENTER
It must be exhausting always moving through the water cycle.
FEMALE NEWS PRESENTER
Evaporation is when water heats and turns to vapour.
MALE WEATHER PRESENTER
It rises up into the sky.
FEMALE NEWS PRESENTER
The vapour hangs out, forming clouds of different shapes and sizes.
MALE WEATHER PRESENTER
And they can float up pretty high.
FEMALE NEWS PRESENTER
And when it cools it’s called condensation, its next occupation,
Fall as precipitation.
MALE WEATHER PRESENTER
Rain, sleet, hail and snow.
FEMALE NEWS PRESENTER
And after landing it’s not standing,
The water runs off the land,
The rivers are enchanting.
MALE WEATHER PRESENTER
Watch the water flow.
ALL
From sea, to sky, then back down to the sea,
Each drop, goes round fulfilling its destiny.
MALE WEATHER PRESENTER
I think it must be pretty fun to be a water droplet!
FEMALE NEWS PRESENTER
I feel quite exhausted just thinking about the water cycle…
ALL
From sea, to sky, then back down to the sea,
Each drop, goes round fulfilling its destiny.
MALE WEATHER PRESENTER
I think it must be pretty fun to be a water droplet!
FEMALE NEWS PRESENTER
I feel quite exhausted just thinking about the water cycle…
ALL
From sea, to sky, then back down to the sea,
Each drop, goes round fulfilling its destiny.
MALE WEATHER PRESENTER
I think it must be pretty fun to be a water droplet!
FEMALE NEWS PRESENTER
I feel quite exhausted just thinking about the water cycle…
EARTH
The water cycle, gives me all that I need.
FEMALE NEWS PRESENTER/MALE WEATHER PRESENTER
Gives Earth all that it needs.
EARTH
To keep alive animals, plants and trees.
FEMALE NEWS PRESENTER
This makes me need a wee!
EARTH
And I must thank my friend the Sun for helping with the process.
MALE WEATHER PRESENTER
I could keep on talking so much longer ‘bout the water cycle!
EARTH
The water cycle, gives me all that I need.
FEMALE NEWS PRESENTER/MALE WEATHER PRESENTER
Gives Earth all that it needs.
EARTH
To keep alive animals, plants and trees.FEMALE NEWS PRESENTER
(panicked, to Weather Guy)
This makes me need a wee!
EARTH
And I must thank my friend the Sun for helping with the process.
MALE WEATHER PRESENTER
I could keep on talking so much longer ‘bout the water cycle!
How does the water cycle work?
There are four parts to the water cycle.
1.Water evaporates into the air
The Sun heats up water on land, in rivers, lakes and seas and turns it into water vapour. The water vapour rises into the air.
2. Water vapour condenses into clouds
Water vapour in the air cools down and changes back into tiny drops of liquid water, forming clouds.
3. Water falls as precipitation
The clouds get heavy and water falls back to the ground in the form of rain, snow, sleet or hail.
4. Water returns to the sea
Rain water runs over the land and collects in lakes or rivers, which take it back to the sea.
The cycle starts all over again!
Horrible Science fact
Over two thirds of the Earth is covered in water – soggy hey?
And one third of that is just the Pacific Ocean! It stretches from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the shores of Antarctica in the south.
You can learn more about Earth here.
Quiz: The water cycle
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