S3-U7L1 Part 2- What is the water cycle?

The Pacific Ocean is an example of salt water.

Like at the Great Salt Lake, water that flows into the ocean does not flow out again.

It only leaves the ocean by evaporating, leaving a tiny amount of salt behind each time.

Fresh water has lower levels of salts compared to salt water.

Different animals have adapted to live in salt water and fresh water.

Humans need fresh water to drink.

Water can be used for watering plants, drinking, cooking, or bathing.

All animals need water to survive.

A few examples are dolphins, fish, cats, dogs, and cattle.

Conserving water is important because we could not survive without water.

Even though water never disappears, pollution and overuse of water can make clean, fresh water unavailable in some areas for long periods of time.

Plants take in water through their roots, and later release water vapor from their leaves.

Precipitation is another word for rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

The sun provides the energy that drives the water cycle.

Water requires a loss or gain of heat energy to change state.

Rain is an important part of the water cycle because it transfers water from the clouds to Earth’s surface.

The water then remains as surface water, moves underground, or evaporates back into the air as water vapor.

You can use a blow dryer or go out into the sun to heat up the water in your hair so that it evaporates more quickly. 

The puddle of water is being warmed by the sun and begins to evaporate when the water gains enough heat energy to turn to water vapor.

The water that forms on the bathroom mirror when you take a hot shower comes from water vapor in the air.

Some of the hot shower water evaporates into water vapor.

When the warm, humid air from the shower hits the cold mirror, water vapor loses energy and condenses into liquid water.

Your body needs water to survive. Water makes up part of our blood, carries nutrients to cells, and flushes waste from our system. Plants and animals also need water.

Sometimes cities ration water. That is, they use water conserving methods such as only allowing lawn watering on certain days.

Some cities also charge more on your water bill if you use over a certain amount of water each month.

You can grow plants that require less water to grow, or that are adapted to grow to the amount of rain that falls in your region.

You can use low-flush toilets. You can take quick showers instead of baths.