Water cycle worksheets - Free Printable

Problem Analysis:

The task involves completing a water cycle diagram and identifying the states of water under specific processes. The water cycle is a continuous process where water moves between different states (solid, liquid, gas) through various stages such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection.

#### Key Components of the Water Cycle:
1. Evaporation: Liquid water turns into water vapor (gas).
2. Condensation: Water vapor (gas) cools and turns back into liquid droplets, forming clouds.
3. Precipitation: Liquid water falls from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
4. Collection: Water collects in bodies like oceans, lakes, rivers, and groundwater.

#### Diagram Elements:
- Sun: Drives evaporation.
- Clouds: Form due to condensation.
- Rain/Snow: Precipitation.
- Oceans/Lakes/Rivers: Collection points.
- Groundwater: Water that seeps into the soil.

#### States of Water:
- Solid: Ice, snow.
- Liquid: Rain, water in oceans/lakes/rivers.
- Gas: Water vapor in the atmosphere.

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Solution:

#### Step 1: Complete the Water Cycle Diagram
The diagram shows the following stages:
1. Evaporation: Water from oceans, lakes, and rivers turns into water vapor and rises into the atmosphere.
2. Condensation: Water vapor cools and forms clouds.
3. Precipitation: Clouds release water as rain, snow, or other forms.
4. Collection: Water collects in oceans, lakes, rivers, and underground.

The arrows in the diagram should connect these stages logically:
- From the ocean/lake/river to the atmosphere (evaporation).
- From the atmosphere to clouds (condensation).
- From clouds to the ground (precipitation).
- From the ground back to the ocean/lake/river (collection).

#### Step 2: Identify the States of Water
The question asks to write the state of water under each dotted arrow (solid, liquid, or gas). Let’s analyze each process:

1. Evaporation:
- Process: Liquid water turns into water vapor.
- State of water: Gas.

2. Condensation:
- Process: Water vapor cools and turns into liquid droplets in clouds.
- State of water: Liquid.

3. Precipitation:
- Process: Liquid water falls from clouds as rain, snow, etc.
- State of water: Liquid (for rain) or Solid (for snow).

4. Collection:
- Process: Water gathers in oceans, lakes, rivers, and underground.
- State of water: Liquid.

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Final Answer:

1. Evaporation: Gas
2. Condensation: Liquid
3. Precipitation: Liquid (rain) or Solid (snow)
4. Collection: Liquid

$$
\boxed{\text{Gas, Liquid, Liquid/Solid, Liquid}}
$$

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Explanation:

- Evaporation involves the transition from liquid to gas, so the state is Gas.
- Condensation involves the transition from gas to liquid, so the state is Liquid.
- Precipitation can involve both liquid (rain) and solid (snow), depending on the form of precipitation.
- Collection involves water gathering in liquid form in bodies of water, so the state is Liquid.

This completes the water cycle diagram and identifies the states of water under each process.