Explore the Cycle
Tap a numbered stop on the diagram — or press Play — to see how a drop of water travels through the whole cycle.
1. Evaporation
The sun heats up water in oceans, lakes, and rivers. The water warms up so much that it turns into an invisible gas called water vapor and rises into the sky.
The Five Stages
Here's the whole cycle in one place — water moves through these stages over and over, forever.
1. Evaporation
The sun heats liquid water and turns it into water vapor, which rises into the air.
2. Transpiration
Plants release water vapor from their leaves into the air — a plant's own kind of evaporation.
3. Condensation
High in the sky, cool air turns water vapor back into tiny liquid droplets, forming clouds.
4. Precipitation
When cloud droplets grow too heavy, they fall back to Earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
5. Collection
Water gathers in oceans, lakes, and rivers, or soaks into the ground — ready to evaporate again.
Test Your Knowledge
Answer these 4 questions. Get 3 or more correct to master this lesson!