The water cycle

The idea

Water evaporates from water bodies, condenses into clouds, returns as rain, hail or snow and flows back to the ocean, some seeping underground; on the way it dissolves minerals and carries nutrients to organisms and oceans.

Where does the rain come from?

After the monsoon rain, rivers flow and reach the sea.

Does the water that reaches the sea ever come back as rain?

• Yes, water goes round in a cycle
• No, it is lost
• Only if there is a flood

Round the cycle

Press Next step.

A cycle that carries nutrients

The water that falls flows back to the ocean and then evaporates again. On its way it dissolves minerals from soil and rocks and carries these nutrients to the oceans, where they support marine life.

Water evaporates from water bodies, condenses into clouds, returns as rain, hail or snow and flows back to the ocean, some seeping underground. On the way it dissolves minerals and carries nutrients to organisms and oceans.

Notes

Water evaporates, condenses into clouds, falls as rain, hail or snow, and flows back to the ocean (some seeps underground), dissolving minerals and carrying nutrients.

Check yourself

From where does water evaporate in the water cycle?

What happens to the water vapour to form clouds?

In what forms does water return to the surface?

What does flowing and seeping water do to soil and rocks?

• Water bodies such as rivers, lakes and oceans — correct. Yes!
• Only the clouds. Water evaporates from water bodies and then condenses to form clouds.
• The ozone layer. Water evaporates from rivers, lakes, oceans and other water bodies.
• It freezes into rock. The water vapour condenses to form clouds.
• It condenses — correct. Yes!
• It seeps into the soil. Seeping into the soil happens to some water that has fallen, not to water vapour.
• Wind, dust or smoke. Water returns as precipitation in the form of rain, hail or snow.
• Mist, only in summer. The chapter says water returns as rain, hail or snow.
• Rain, hail or snow — correct. Yes!
• It dissolves minerals and carries nutrients to oceans — correct. Yes!
• It turns soil into clouds. Water dissolves minerals from soil and rocks and transports these nutrients to oceans.
• It stops all life in the oceans. The water carries nutrients to oceans and supports marine life.