Water Cycle Evaporation and Condensation Diagram Worksheet for 16-Year-Old Science Students

Instructions

1. Study the water-cycle diagram below.
2. Use the word bank to fill in each blank. Some words may be used more than once.
3. Answer the questions in complete sentences where requested.
4. For the challenge question, explain the process using scientific vocabulary.

Learning goals:

• Describe how water changes state during the water cycle.
• Explain the roles of evaporation and condensation.
• Connect the water cycle to real-world weather events.

Word bank: evaporation, condensation, water vapor, liquid water, clouds, precipitation, heat energy, cooling, collection

Part A: Complete the Diagram

Water constantly moves through Earth’s atmosphere, land, and bodies of water. Fill in the blanks labeled A–H.

                     The Sun provides
                     heat energy
                          |
                          v
             A. ______________________
              Water changes from a liquid
              into a gas and rises.
                          |
                          v
             B. ______________________
              Water in its gaseous state
              moves upward through the air.
                          |
                     Air becomes cooler
                          |
                          v
             C. ______________________
              Water changes from a gas into
              tiny liquid droplets.
                          |
                          v
             D. ______________________
              Groups of tiny water droplets
              or ice crystals form in the sky.
                          |
                Droplets become larger and heavier
                          |
                          v
             E. ______________________
              Water falls from clouds as rain,
              snow, sleet, or hail.
                          |
                          v
             F. ______________________
              Water gathers in rivers, lakes,
              oceans, and underground.
                          |
                          +----------------------------+
                                                       |
                                                       |
                     Water is heated by the Sun again. |
                                                       +--> A

Part B: Label the Main Changes

Complete each sentence using the word bank.

1. During evaporation, water changes from a ____ to a ____.

2. During condensation, water changes from ____ to tiny droplets of ____.

3. The main source of energy that drives the water cycle is ____.

4. When warm, moist air rises and cools, ____ occurs.

5. Rain, snow, sleet, and hail are all forms of ____.

Part C: Choose the Best Answer

Circle or mark the correct answer.

1. Which situation shows evaporation?

   • A. A puddle disappears after a sunny afternoon.
   • B. Water droplets form on the outside of a cold glass.
   • C. Snow falls from a cloud.
   • D. Water collects in a river.

2. Which situation shows condensation?

   • A. An ice cube melts.
   • B. Wet clothes dry on a clothesline.
   • C. A bathroom mirror becomes covered with water droplets.
   • D. Rainwater flows into a lake.

3. Why does warm air often rise?

   • A. Warm air is generally less dense than cool air.
   • B. Warm air contains no water.
   • C. Warm air always turns into ice.
   • D. Warm air is heavier than cool air.

4. What usually happens to water vapor as it rises higher in the atmosphere?

   • A. It becomes warmer and evaporates faster.
   • B. It cools and may condense.
   • C. It immediately becomes groundwater.
   • D. It disappears permanently.

Part D: Real-World Weather Investigation

Use the diagram and your own observations to complete the table. The first row is an example.

Possible observations: a drying puddle, fog on a mirror, clouds forming, rain falling, wet clothes drying, or water collecting in a stream.

Part E: Short Answer

1. Explain why a puddle usually disappears faster on a hot, sunny day than on a cool, cloudy day.

2. Why are clouds important in the water cycle?

3. Describe one way the water cycle affects weather in your local area.

Optional Challenge

A weather station records warm temperatures, high humidity, and falling air temperatures in the evening. Predict what may happen in the atmosphere. Use the words water vapor, cooling, condensation, and clouds in your explanation.

Answer Key

Part A

• A. evaporation
• B. water vapor
• C. condensation
• D. clouds
• E. precipitation
• F. collection

Part B

1. liquid water; water vapor
2. water vapor; liquid water
3. heat energy from the Sun
4. condensation
5. precipitation

Part C

1. A
2. C
3. A
4. B

Part D

Answers will vary. Possible responses include:

• A puddle disappears: evaporation; liquid water gains heat and changes into water vapor.
• Fog forms on a mirror: condensation; water vapor cools and becomes liquid droplets.
• Clouds form: condensation; rising water vapor cools and forms tiny droplets or ice crystals.
• Rain falls: precipitation; water droplets in clouds become heavy enough to fall.
• Wet clothes dry: evaporation; liquid water changes into water vapor.
• Water collects in a stream: collection; precipitation gathers and flows over or beneath the ground.

Part E

1. Heat from the Sun gives water molecules more energy, increasing evaporation. Clouds can reduce heating, and cooler air slows evaporation.

2. Clouds form when water vapor condenses into tiny droplets or ice crystals. When these particles become large and heavy enough, they can produce precipitation.

3. Answers will vary. For example, evaporation from lakes and oceans adds water vapor to the air. Condensation can then form clouds, which may lead to rain or snow.

Optional Challenge:

As the air cools, it may hold less water vapor. The water vapor can undergo condensation, forming clouds. If the droplets grow large enough, precipitation may occur.