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Water is constantly on the move,
between oceans, land, air, and rivers.
This movement is called the water cycle.
The water cycle
What is electricity generated by running water called?
Natural
recycling
The water cycle is the
journey water makes as it
moves from the air to the land,
into the seas, and back into
the air again.
On the dry side
Moisture-laden sea air has to rise
when it hits a coastal mountain.
Since air cools as it rises, all
the moisture condenses into
rain. So, on the other side of the
mountain, no rain falls – this
area is called a rainshadow.
Water falls
as rain from
clouds.
When rain
falls, it collects
in rivers and
streams.
Water heated
by the Sun
evaporates. It
changes from
liquid to vapour.
When this water
vapour floats high in
the sky, it condenses
and forms clouds.
Water from rivers
and streams flows
into the sea.
Groundwater
Sea
Sun
Planet Earth
