What is the water cycle?
The water cycle is the never-ending journey water makes around our planet. The sun heats water in rivers, lakes and oceans until it turns into invisible vapor and rises into the sky. Up high it cools and forms clouds, then falls back down as rain or snow, and collects in rivers and oceans to begin again.
The four main steps
The water cycle has four main steps: evaporation (water turns to vapor and rises), condensation (vapor cools into clouds), precipitation (water falls as rain, snow or hail) and collection (water gathers in rivers, lakes and oceans). Kids can follow a single drop through every step here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the stages of the water cycle?
The main stages are evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection. Water rises as vapor, forms clouds, falls as rain or snow, and gathers in rivers and oceans before the cycle repeats.
What is evaporation?
Evaporation is when the sun's heat turns liquid water into an invisible gas called water vapor, which rises into the air. It is the first step of the water cycle.
Why is the water cycle important?
The water cycle keeps fresh water moving around the planet, filling rivers and lakes, watering plants and giving us the water we drink. Without it, land would dry out and life could not survive.