The water (hydrologic) cycle

Summary

This educational video from moomoomath and science introduces the water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle. It explains how water evaporates from the ocean, forms clouds through condensation, and returns to Earth as precipitation. The video also covers how water becomes groundwater, moves through aquifers, and is released back into the atmosphere via transpiration. It concludes by describing surface runoff, which feeds into lakes, rivers, and oceans, completing the cycle. The channel invites viewers to subscribe for daily math and science content.

Takeaways

• 🌊 The water we use today is part of a long-standing cycle, known as the water cycle or hydrologic cycle.
• 🌡️ Evaporation is the starting point of the water cycle, where water from the ocean's surface turns into vapor.
• 🌬️ As moist air rises and cools, water vapor condenses and can form clouds, which are made up of tiny water droplets and ice crystals.
• ☁️ Clouds play a crucial role in the water cycle by transporting atmospheric moisture around the globe.
• 🌧️ Precipitation, which can be rain, snow, sleet, or hail, is how water returns to the Earth's surface from the atmosphere.
• 💧 Upon reaching the ground, water may either evaporate back into the atmosphere or infiltrate the surface to become groundwater.
• 🌿 Groundwater can take various paths, including seeping into oceans, rivers, streams, or being stored in aquifers.
• 🌳 Transpiration is the process where plants release water vapor through pores in their leaves, contributing to the water cycle.
• 🏞️ Surface runoff occurs when water on the Earth's surface is not absorbed by plants or becomes groundwater, and it flows into lakes, rivers, and streams.
• 🔁 The water cycle is a continuous process, with surface runoff eventually making its way back to the ocean to start the cycle anew.

Q & A

What is the water cycle also known as?

The water cycle is also known as the hydrologic cycle.

How does the water cycle begin?

The water cycle begins with the evaporation of water from the surface of the ocean.

What happens to the water vapor as it rises and cools?

As the water vapor rises and cools, it condenses and may form clouds.

What are clouds composed of?

Clouds are composed of tiny water droplets and ice crystals.

How is moisture transported around the globe?

Moisture in the atmosphere is transported around the globe and may return to the surface as precipitation.

What forms can precipitation take?

Precipitation may take the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

What are the two processes that may occur once water reaches the ground?

Once water reaches the ground, it may either evaporate back into the atmosphere or penetrate the surface and become groundwater.

What is an aquifer and how does it relate to groundwater?

An aquifer is a body of saturated rock through which water can easily move, and it is a path that groundwater may take.

What is transpiration and how does it release water back into the atmosphere?

Transpiration is the process by which leaves from trees and other vegetation give off water vapor through pores in their leaves, releasing water back into the atmosphere.

What is surface runoff and where does it typically end up?

Surface runoff is water that is not absorbed by plants or become groundwater, and it typically ends up in lakes, rivers, and streams, eventually returning to the ocean.

How does the water cycle continue after surface runoff returns to the ocean?

After surface runoff returns to the ocean, the cycle continues as the water evaporates again, starting the water cycle anew.