Water and the Atmosphere

Earth's atmosphere contains

• Nitrogen

• Carbon Dioxide

• Oxygen

• Water

How Water Reaches the Atmosphere

Water reaches the atmosphere in 3 ways.

• Sublimation - When solid water changes directly to water vapor without first becoming a liquid.

• Deposition - The opposite of sublimation. Occurs when water vapor changes state directly from a gas to a solid

• Transpiration - The release of water vapor into the air by plants.

• Evaporation - When liquid water gains enough energy to escape the liquid's surface of Earth's oceans.

Condensation, Clouds and Precipitation

Condensation - The process of a gas becoming a liquid

Predication - Any form of water that falls to Earth from clouds. This includes:

• Rain, snow, hail and sleet