The Incredible Journey (Water Cycle)

Essential Question
How does water rotate around an ecosystem? Where will the water you drink this morning be tomorrow?

Objectives

 * Simulate and describe the movement of water within the water cycle
 * Identify the states of water as it moves through the water cycle.

Introduction & Student Background
While water does circulate from one point or state to another in the water cycle, the paths it can take are variable.

Heat energy directly influences the rate of motion of water molecules (refer to the activity “Molecules in Motion”). When the motion of the molecule increases because of an increase in heat energy, water will change from solid to liquid to gas. With each change in state, physical movement from one location to another usually follows. Glaciers melt to pools which overflow to streams, where water may evaporate into the atmosphere.

Gravity further influences the ability of water to travel over, under, and above Earth’s surface. Water as a solid, liquid, or gas has mass and is subject to gravitational force. Snow on mountaintops melts and descends through watersheds to the oceans of the world.

One of the most visible states in which water moves is the liquid form. Water is seen flowing in streams and rivers and tumbling in ocean waves. Water travels slowly underground, seeping and filtering through particles of soil and pores within rocks.

Although unseen, water’s most dramatic movements take place during its gaseous phase. Water is constantly evaporating, changing from a liquid to a gas. As a vapor, it can travel through the atmosphere over Earth’s surface. In fact, water vapor surrounds us all the time. Where it condenses and returns to Earth depends upon loss of heat energy, gravity, and the structure of Earth’s surface.

Vocabulary

 * condensation
 * evaporation
 * electromagnetic forces

Materials

 * 9 large pieces of paper
 * Copies of Water Cycle Table (see attached)
 * Marking pens
 * 9 boxes, about 6 inches on a side
 * A whistle, buzzer, or other sound maker

Lesson Plan
See attached file



How it Fits to Standard

 * Water is essential in Earth systems. This is seen by observing and recording changes in weather patterns and Earth formations.
 * See how parts of objects, plants, and animals are connected and work together.
 * Earth materials are formed by various natural processes and can be used in different ways.

Follow Up
TBW