Water Cycle Basics Flashcards

Grade 2 · Science · Flashcards

Review important words about how water moves through the water cycle.

Flashcards

water cycle: The continuous movement of water from Earth's surface to the sky and back again
evaporation: When the sun heats water and it turns from a liquid into water vapor (gas)
condensation: When water vapor cools and turns back into tiny liquid water droplets, forming clouds
precipitation: Water that falls from clouds to the ground — rain, snow, sleet, or hail
water vapor: Water in the form of an invisible gas floating in the air
cloud: Millions of tiny water droplets grouped together floating in the sky
rain: Liquid water that falls from clouds when the air is warm enough
snow: Frozen water crystals that fall from clouds when the air is very cold
collection: The stage when precipitation gathers in oceans, rivers, lakes, or soaks into the ground
runoff: Water that flows across the ground into streams and rivers after precipitation
groundwater: Water that soaks into the soil and is stored underground
sun: The energy source that heats water and makes evaporation happen, driving the water cycle