Introduction

Welcome to a learning adventure! You will be learning about the water cycle and I truly hope you have fun while you learn. Feel free to ask your teacher if you come across a concept that you do not understand. If you get stuck, ask for help.

Expectations

But before we begin, you should know my expectations. First, become familiar with the water cycle. Go to all the links in the order that they appear. After you become an expert on the water cycle, you will answer some very simple questions. Finally, you will create a Powerpoint presentation where you will explain the water cycle. Easy, right? Are you ready? Well, get your notebook or spiral. Write the questions and find the answers in the links. Good luck and enjoy your quest.

The Process

Visit the following links to become familiar with the water cycle process. Complete the activities in each link.                

• Kidzone Water Cycle
• The Water Cycle On the Move
• The Water Cycle
• More on The Water Cycle
• Water Cycle Diagrams
• Summary of the Hydrologic Cycle
• Water Cycle Definitions

Questions

Click on http://mbgnet.mobot.org/fresh/cycle/index.htm. Answer the following questions.

1. Define "water cycle".
2. What fraction of the earth’s surface is covered in water?
3. What percentage of all the Earth’s water is in a form that is useable to humans and land animals?

Click on http://mbgnet.mobot.org/fresh/cycle/concepts.htm. Answer the following questions.

1. Evaporation is the process where a liquid changes from its __________ state to a ___________ state.
2. Why is evaporated water so clean?
3. Condensation occurs when a ____________ is changed into a __________.
4. Condensation is the opposite of ____________.
5. When the ________________ and ___________________ are right, the small droplets of water in clouds form larger droplets and precipitation occurs.
   
6. What is transpiration?
   

Click on http://mbgnet.mobot.org/fresh/cycle/cycle.htm. Answer the following questions.

1. Make a drawing of the water cycle. Don't forget to include the Sun. Now, using the terms "evaporation", "condensation", and "precipitation", explain the water cycle in your own words.
2. What factor is most important in determining whether water is a solid, liquid, or gas?
3. Is the amount of water on Earth always changing or is it a constant amount?
4. What role does the sun play in the water cycle?
   
5. Why is the water cycle important to life on Earth?
   

Closing

I hope it has been a fun quest and that you have learned a lot about the water cycle. All that is left is for you to do is prepare your Powerpoint presentation.