Question 1

What happens to rain when it falls?

Accepted Answer

When rain falls, it can soak into the ground, flow into rivers, or just sit on top of things. Some of it also goes back up into the air as water vapor.

Question 2

What is water vapor?

Accepted Answer

Water vapor is water in its gas form. It’s all around us in the air, even though we can’t see it.

Question 3

How does water get into the ground?

Accepted Answer

Water gets into the ground through small holes in the soil. Plants and tree roots also help water soak into the ground.

Question 4

What is a river's source?

Accepted Answer

A river's source is where the river begins. It can start from a big rainstorm, melting snow, or a spring where water bubbles up from the ground.

Question 5

How do rivers flow to the ocean?

Accepted Answer

Rivers flow downhill because of gravity, the force that pulls things down toward the earth. They keep flowing until they reach a bigger body of water, like an ocean or a lake.

Question 6

What makes rain appear in the first place?

Accepted Answer

Rain forms in clouds when tiny drops of water come together. When these drops get big and heavy enough, they fall to the ground as rain.

Question 7

What is the water cycle?

Accepted Answer

The water cycle is the journey water takes from clouds to the ground and back up again. It includes rain, rivers, oceans, and clouds.

Question 8

Why are rivers important?

Accepted Answer

Rivers carry water across the land, which plants, animals, and people need to drink and grow food. They also provide places for fish to live and are used for fun activities.

Question 9

How do clouds form?

Accepted Answer

Clouds form when water vapor in the air cools down and changes back into tiny water droplets or ice crystals. All these little droplets group together to make a cloud.

Question 10

What is evaporation?

Accepted Answer

Evaporation is when water turns into vapor and rises into the air. It happens when the sun heats up water in rivers, lakes, or oceans.

Question 11

Can water travel underground?

Accepted Answer

Yes, water can move underground through spaces in rocks and soil. This underground water sometimes comes out in springs, where it can flow into rivers.

Question 12

What happens to rivers when it stops raining?

Accepted Answer

Even when it stops raining, rivers often have enough water to keep flowing because of water already moving underground or melting snow.

Question 13

Do all rivers flow into the ocean?

Accepted Answer

Not always. Some rivers flow into large lakes or get smaller until they dry up. However, many rivers do eventually reach the ocean.

Question 14

What is runoff?

Accepted Answer

Runoff is rainwater that flows over the land and into rivers. It happens when the ground is too wet to soak up any more water or when rain falls too quickly.

Question 15

Why does it rain more in some places than others?

Accepted Answer

Some places get more rain because of their weather patterns, like being near the ocean or mountains. These areas have more moisture in the air, which turns into rain.

Question 16

How do people use river water?

Accepted Answer

People use river water for drinking, farming, and making electricity. Rivers are also places where people swim, fish, and have fun.

Question 17

What happens to water after it reaches the ocean?

Accepted Answer

After water reaches the ocean, it can evaporate and become clouds or it might stay in the ocean for a while. Either way, it's part of the water cycle and will eventually fall as rain again.

Question 18

Why are clouds sometimes dark and heavy?

Accepted Answer

Clouds look dark and heavy when they are full of water droplets and about to rain. The thickness of the clouds blocks sunlight, making them look gray or black.

Question 19

What is a watershed?

Accepted Answer

A watershed is an area of land where all the rainwater drains into the same river or lake. Think of it like a big bowl that collects all the water that falls on it.

Question 20

How do animals and plants help with the water cycle?

Accepted Answer

Animals and plants release water vapor into the air through breathing and transpiration, which helps form clouds. Plants also help the soil soak up rainwater, keeping rivers clean and full.

The Journey of Water: From Rain to River and Beyond - 20 FAQs Explained Simply