The Water Cycle: Nature’s Recycling System

Lexile: 950 | Grade: 6

Passage

Water covers most of Earth’s surface, but it’s also constantly moving—even when we don’t see it. This ongoing movement is called the **water cycle**, and it plays a major role in keeping life on Earth alive and balanced.

The cycle begins when energy from the sun heats up bodies of water like oceans, lakes, and rivers. This causes **evaporation**, where water turns into vapor and rises into the air. Plants also release water vapor through a process called **transpiration**. Together, these processes add moisture to the atmosphere.

As the water vapor rises and cools, it turns back into liquid droplets, forming **clouds** in a process called **condensation**. When the droplets become heavy enough, they fall back to Earth as **precipitation**—rain, snow, sleet, or hail. This water lands in oceans, rivers, soil, or even underground.

Some of the water soaks into the ground and becomes part of **groundwater**. Some flows over land in streams and rivers and eventually returns to the ocean. Then, the cycle starts again. This constant movement helps clean the water, spread nutrients, and support plants, animals, and humans alike.

Even though the total amount of water on Earth stays the same, the water cycle keeps it moving and changing form. Understanding this system helps scientists protect clean water sources, prepare for droughts and floods, and study weather and climate patterns.

So the next time you see a raindrop or a cloud, remember: it’s part of a journey that has been repeating for millions of years.