The water cycle is a continuous process of water movement on Earth, involving evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff. This cycle is crucial for maintaining life and ecosystems. The process and importance of the water cycle for students can be summarized as follows:
- Evaporation: Solar energy causes water to evaporate from oceans, lakes, and land surfaces.
- Transpiration: Plants release water vapor through their leaves.
- Condensation: Water vapor cools and forms clouds as it rises.
- Precipitation: Water falls as rain, snow, or hail.
- Runoff and infiltration: Water flows over land or seeps into the ground.
The importance of water cycle includes:
- Regulating Earth's temperature
- Distributing water resources globally
- Supporting plant growth and ecosystems
- Replenishing freshwater sources
- Shaping landscapes through erosion and deposition
Understanding the water cycle diagram helps visualize these interconnected processes. The cycle's significance extends beyond environmental systems, impacting agriculture, energy production, and human settlements.