First Children Encyclopedia

260

Water is constantly on the move,

between oceans, land, air, and rivers.

This movement is called the water cycle.

The water cycle

What is electricity generated by running water called?

Natural

recycling

The water cycle is the

journey water makes as it

moves from the air to the land,

into the seas, and back into

the air again.

On the dry side

Moisture-laden sea air has to rise

when it hits a coastal mountain.

Since air cools as it rises, all

the moisture condenses into

rain. So, on the other side of the

mountain, no rain falls – this

area is called a rainshadow.

Water falls

as rain from

clouds.

When rain

falls, it collects

in rivers and

streams.

Water heated

by the Sun

evaporates. It

changes from

liquid to vapour.

When this water

vapour floats high in

the sky, it condenses

and forms clouds.

Water from rivers

and streams flows

into the sea.

Groundwater

Sea

Sun

Planet Earth