Water is one of the most important substances on the earth. Without the presence of water people, animals, and vegetation could not survive. The parts of the water cycle that will be discussed are evaporation, condensation and precipitation. Evaporation is where the water in a body of water is heated and turns into vapor. The vapor enters the air. The water vapor cools off and changes back into a liquid. Clouds form as the cold helps to cause condensation. When the clouds become so dense, precipitation occurs. The precipitation that falls from the clouds is dependent on the temperature. Water can fall as rain, sleet, snow or hail.
The water cycle provides a great way for the students to discuss how solids, liquids and gases affect the weather and the role temperature plays. It is something that the students are able to relate to and have prior knowledge about.