Question: how does a water cycle work

Amy Heather Fitzpatrick answered on 11 Nov 2019:

The water cycle is really important for our every day life. So I will answer your question here but if you have more time check our this video that gives a really nice explanation https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-ecology/hs-biogeochemical-cycles/v/the-water-cycle

The sun heats water in oceans and seas. Water evaporates as water vapor into the air. Some ice and snow turn into water vapor. Plants and soil release and uptake water from the air. Hot air rises and the higher up you go above sea level, air pressure decreases and the temperature drops. Low temperatures make the water turn into groups of water droplets. The groups of water droplets are heavier than the air. These look like clouds or if they are near the ground are fog.

Wind systems and pressure drops help to move the water vapor around the globe and they water vapour can fall to the ground. This is called precipitation. It can be rain, snow or hail, sleet. If it falls someplace cold it can form ice caps and glaciers.

Most water goes back as rain into the oceans or onto land. The rain onto land can go to rivers, underground water sources and helps grass and crops grow. Over time, the water returns to the ocean, to continue the water cycle.