Water Cycle Process
In this paper, different peculiarities of the water cycle process and its phases will be explored. It is essential to state that, as a driving force of this action, one should highlight the Sun. Due to this solar system star, water starts to move between different parts of our planet and its atmosphere (Love, 2021). Further, various stages of the water cycle will be covered in this research. Noteworthy, the Sun plays a crucial role in each of them.
Precipitation
The first step of the water cycle that will be discussed is precipitation. Children often ask their parents how rain and snow happen. While researching the precipitation process, it is possible to find the answer to these questions. First, one should stress that the water vapor in clouds should get colder. After that, it turns into liquid droplets or ice crystals, which are too heavy to be in clouds (Love, 2021). Therefore, they start to fall on the Earth from the sky in the form of what humans call snow or rain.
Evaporation
However, the most essential process of the entire water cycle is evaporation. The Sun acts during evaporation as a tool to transfer the water from the Earth’s surface to clouds in the sky (Hudd, 2019). Due to this process, the water cycle on the planet is possible and is a part of all livable species (Hudd, 2019). Evaporation creates water vapor necessary for precipitation, as mentioned in the previous slide. Consequently, the water turns into its second form during the transfer from the ground to the sky.
Transpiration
It is important to underline that various participants take action in the water cycle process. For example, the phase of transpiration assumes that the Earth will give the sky water vapor by itself. In other words, the plants growing on the planet act in a specific way by releasing the water vapor they accumulate during rains (Hudd, 2019). This process helps to create more water vapor for transferring to the sky and to make the water cycle more active and valuable.
Condensation
One of the most exciting effects of traveling water during the water cycle is the formation of clouds. It is important to note that the Sun plays a valuable and esthetical role in the entire process. As Love (2021) states, “You can see clouds because the droplets of crystals reflect light from the Sun” (p. 18). It happens when water vapor reaches the sky and gathers together, forming structures humans call clouds. However, the person could not see them without the help of the Sun.
Sublimation
The process of the water cycle assumes various specifications, which are aimed at transforming water from its solid forms to water itself and then to water vapor. However, some actions and circumstances allow one to skip the second point of this chain. Sublimation allows water to turn into its vapor state without being a liquid (Hudd, 2019). In other words, snow and ice can be turned into a vapor state immediately. The specific characteristics of the temperature conditions cause it. Notably, the air should be warmer in the atmosphere than the snow.
Runoff and Infiltration
Previously, it was stated that the water cycle is crucial for all living organisms on the planet. The Runoff and infiltration phases of this process can precisely explain this fact. They assume two ways in which water can act after falling from the sky on the Earth: by going underground or still on the surface and by refilling the planet’s water resources, such as lakes and oceans. According to Hudd (2019), “They provide plants, animals, and humans with the water they need to survive” (p. 20). All living creatures need water to survive, which highlights the importance of the water cycle.
Benefits of the Water Cycle
In addition to its benefits for humans, plants, and animals, the water cycle gives Earth vital resources to maintain life. In particular, it creates specific circumstances to sustain the planet’s climate and ecosystem. For example, the water cycle prevents soil erosion and does not allow the Earth to become overdried (Love, 2021). It is vital not only for humans but also for plants, which are also necessary elements for maintaining life.
References
Hudd, E. (2019). How Long Is the Water Cycle? Capstone Press.
Love, C. (2021). Water Cycles. Dorling Kindersley Limited.