Water Cycle Vocabulary

This set of flashcards includes vocabulary terms related to the water cycle, along with their definitions.

to heat up

To increase temperature.

some water vapor

Liquid that turns to a gas.

the atmosphere

The air above the surface of the Earth.

to rise up

To go up higher.

evaporation

When water rises up into the air as water vapor.

some leaves a leaf

The part of a plant that releases water vapor.

a stomata

A hole in a leaf that releases water vapor.

transpiration

The process of water vapor being released through stomata in leaves.

solid

To be made of hard, stable material.

sublimation

The process in a water cycle when solids turn into water vapor before melting.

to gather

To get closer together.

a cloud

Condensed water molecules in the atmosphere.

condensation

The water cycle process where water molecules gather together to form a cloud.

gravity

The force that pulls things down to the surface of the Earth.

precipitation

The water cycle process where water falls from clouds when they become too heavy.

to flow down

When water moves to a lower level.

to melt

When a solid heats up and becomes a liquid.

run-off

The water cycle process where water flows down from the mountains to the ocean.

to soak into/up

To be pulled into something through absorption.

infiltration

The part of the water cycle process where surface water is soaked into the ground and stays underground.