In this Grade 4 lesson from Science: A Closer Look, students explore the water cycle and learn how water changes state as it moves between Earth's surface and the atmosphere through the processes of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Students investigate the variables that affect how liquid water becomes water vapor, and discover how condensation forms clouds and dew. The lesson builds key vocabulary including water vapor, freezing, and precipitation within the context of Chapter 4: Weather and Climate.
Section 1
Water Moves Through States in the Water Cycle
Water continuously circulates through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. This cycle transforms water between liquid, gas, and solid states as it travels between Earth's surface and atmosphere.
Section 2
Evaporation Changes Liquid Water into Invisible Vapor
When the Sun heats water surfaces, particles gain energy and move faster. Some escape as invisible water vapor, rising into the atmosphere through evaporation from oceans, lakes, and plant leaves.
Section 3
Clouds Form When Water Vapor Condenses
As water vapor rises higher in the atmosphere, it cools and loses energy. The vapor condenses into tiny water droplets around dust particles, forming different cloud types like cumulus, stratus, and cirrus.
Section 4
Precipitation Returns Water to Earth's Surface
Water droplets in clouds grow larger and heavier until they fall as rain. If temperatures are below freezing, precipitation can form as snow, sleet, or hail instead.
Section 5
Scientists Use Models to Study Water Behavior
Researchers create models to investigate how variables like temperature, puddle size, and wind affect water's movement through the water cycle, helping us understand real-world evaporation and condensation.
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Section 1
Water Moves Through States in the Water Cycle
Water continuously circulates through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. This cycle transforms water between liquid, gas, and solid states as it travels between Earth's surface and atmosphere.
Section 2
Evaporation Changes Liquid Water into Invisible Vapor
When the Sun heats water surfaces, particles gain energy and move faster. Some escape as invisible water vapor, rising into the atmosphere through evaporation from oceans, lakes, and plant leaves.
Section 3
Clouds Form When Water Vapor Condenses
As water vapor rises higher in the atmosphere, it cools and loses energy. The vapor condenses into tiny water droplets around dust particles, forming different cloud types like cumulus, stratus, and cirrus.
Section 4
Precipitation Returns Water to Earth's Surface
Water droplets in clouds grow larger and heavier until they fall as rain. If temperatures are below freezing, precipitation can form as snow, sleet, or hail instead.
Section 5
Scientists Use Models to Study Water Behavior
Researchers create models to investigate how variables like temperature, puddle size, and wind affect water's movement through the water cycle, helping us understand real-world evaporation and condensation.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter