Question 1

What is the hydrological cycle?

Accepted Answer

The hydrological cycle is how water moves around Earth. It travels from the ocean to the sky, then to land, and back again. This cycle keeps repeating.

Question 2

How does water get into the sky?

Accepted Answer

Water gets into the sky through evaporation. The sun heats up the water in rivers, lakes, and oceans, turning it into water vapor, a kind of invisible gas.

Question 3

What happens to water vapor in the sky?

Accepted Answer

Water vapor in the sky cools down and turns into tiny water droplets. These droplets come together to form clouds.

Question 4

What are clouds made of?

Accepted Answer

Clouds are made of tiny water droplets or ice crystals that have grouped together. They float in the sky because they're lighter than air.

Question 5

Why does it rain?

Accepted Answer

It rains when the water droplets in clouds get too heavy to stay in the sky. They fall down to Earth as rain.

Question 6

Does all rain fall as water?

Accepted Answer

No, rain can fall as water, snow, or hail. It depends on the temperature of the air.

Question 7

Where does rain go after it falls?

Accepted Answer

Rainwater goes into rivers, lakes, and oceans or soaks into the ground. Some of it is used by plants or animals.

Question 8

What is evaporation?

Accepted Answer

Evaporation is when the sun heats up water, turning it into a gas called water vapor. This gas goes up into the sky.

Question 9

What is condensation?

Accepted Answer

Condensation is when water vapor cools down and changes back into tiny water droplets. This is how clouds are formed.

Question 10

How does snow form?

Accepted Answer

Snow forms when water vapor in clouds turns into ice crystals. These crystals stick together and fall to the ground as snowflakes.

Question 11

What role do plants play in the water cycle?

Accepted Answer

Plants take in water through their roots and release water vapor into the air through their leaves. This process is called transpiration.

Question 12

What is groundwater?

Accepted Answer

Groundwater is water that has soaked into the ground and stored there. It can be used by plants and can flow into rivers and oceans.

Question 13

Why is the water cycle important?

Accepted Answer

The water cycle is important because it gives us fresh water to drink, helps plants grow, and keeps animals alive. It also cleans and moves water around the planet.

Question 14

How does water get from the sky to plants?

Accepted Answer

When it rains, water falls onto the ground and gets absorbed by the soil. Plants take in this water through their roots.

Question 15

What is precipitation?

Accepted Answer

Precipitation is water that falls from clouds to the ground. It can be in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Question 16

How do animals affect the water cycle?

Accepted Answer

Animals drink water and return it to the environment by breathing, sweating, and going to the bathroom. This helps keep the water cycle going.

Question 17

Why do puddles dry up after it rains?

Accepted Answer

Puddles dry up because the water in them evaporates. The sun heats the water, turning it into water vapor that goes back into the sky.

Question 18

What happens to water after it reaches the ocean?

Accepted Answer

Once water is in the ocean, it can eventually evaporate into the sky again. This keeps the water cycle going.

Question 19

Do all parts of the world have the same water cycle?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the water cycle happens everywhere, but it can look different. Some places have more rain, while others have more snow or less precipitation.

Question 20

Can humans change the water cycle?

Accepted Answer

Yes, humans can change the water cycle by using lots of water and cutting down trees. This can affect how water moves in an area.

The Journey of Water through the Hydrological Cycle - 20 FAQs Explained Simply