What is evaporation and how does it relate to the water cycle?
Evaporation is the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapor. Evaporation is the primary pathway that water moves from the liquid state back into the water cycle as atmospheric water vapor.
How does the water cycle start over again with evaporation?
Heat from the Sun causes water to evaporate from oceans, lakes and streams. Evaporation occurs when liquid water on Earth’s surface turns into water vapor in our atmosphere. Water from plants and trees also enters the atmosphere.
What are the factors affecting evaporation?
Liquids changes into vapour by the process of evaporation. The factors that affect the rate of evaporation of liquids are temperature, surface area, wind speed, and humidity.
Is water cycle important to humans?
The water cycle is an extremely important process because it enables the availability of water for all living organisms and regulates weather patterns on our planet. If water didn’t naturally recycle itself, we would run out of clean water, which is essential to life.
What role does evaporation have in the water cycle?
Evaporation is the primary pathway that water moves from the liquid state back into the water cycle as atmospheric water vapor. Studies have shown that the oceans , seas, lakes, and rivers provide nearly 90 percent of the moisture in the atmosphere via evaporation, with the remaining 10 percent being contributed by plant transpiration .
How does evaporation relate to the water cycle?
Evaporation drives the water cycle. Evaporation from the oceans is the primary mechanism supporting the surface-to-atmosphere portion of the water cycle. After all, the large surface area of the oceans (over 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by the oceans) provides the opportunity for large-scale evaporation to occur.
What is the evaporation process in the water cycle caused by?
The evaporation process in the water cycle is caused by the sun. When water is heated by the direct heat of the sun, water goes up in the form of water vapor (thus, evaporation takes place). The water vapor that goes up is transformed into liquid water droplets in the air, creating clouds and fog.
What does evaporated water in the water cycle do?
When water evaporates, it takes up energy from its surroundings and cools the environment. When it condenses, it releases energy and warms the environment. These heat exchanges influence climate. The evaporative phase of the cycle purifies water which then replenishes the land with freshwater.