How does sun interact with water?
The sun is what makes the water cycle work. The sun provides what almost everything on Earth needs to go—energy, or heat. Heat causes liquid and frozen water to evaporate into water vapor gas, which rises high in the sky to form clouds… clouds that move over the globe and drop rain and snow.
How is the ocean involved in the water cycle?
The ocean plays a key role in this vital cycle of water. Besides affecting the amount of atmospheric water vapor and hence rainfall, evaporation from the sea surface is important in the movement of heat in the climate system. Water evaporates from the surface of the ocean, mostly in warm, cloud-free subtropical seas.
What happens to salt when ocean water evaporates?
When ocean saltwater evaporates, the salt in the water is left in the water. When precipitation returns into the water, the salt on the bottom is “stirred up” and is partially dissolved back into the water until the water evaporates again. This cycle happens continuously.
Does saltwater freeze?
Ocean water freezes just like freshwater, but at lower temperatures. Fresh water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit but seawater freezes at about 28.4 degrees Fahrenheit , because of the salt in it. Sea water becomes more and more dense as it becomes colder, right down to its freezing point.
How does the Sun play a role in the water cycle?
Both the Sun and the ocean play an important part in the water cycle. Remember that the Sun provides Earth with light energy and heat energy. This energy drives the water cycle. It warms liquid water on Earth’s surface and starts this water moving between Earth and the atmosphere. Most of the surface water warmed by the Sun is found in the ocean.
What happens to water in the water cycle?
As it moves through this cycle, it changes forms. Water is the only substance that naturally exists in three states on Earth – solid, liquid, and gas. Over 96% of total global water is in the ocean, so let’s start there. Energy from the sun causes water on the surface to evaporate into water vapor – a gas.
Where does the water go when it returns to the ocean?
This invisible vapor rises into the atmosphere, where the air is colder, and condenses into clouds. Air currents move these clouds all around the earth. Water drops form in clouds, and the drops then return to the ocean or land as precipitation – let’s say this time, it’s snow.
How does the sun affect everything on Earth?
The sun provides what almost everything on Earth needs to go—energy, or heat. Heat causes liquid and frozen water to evaporate into water vapor gas, which rises high in the sky to form clouds…clouds that move over the globe and drop rain and snow.