Where does rain come from?

 

Where does rain come from?

Water is constantly moving between the land, rivers, air, and the ocean in something called the water cycle. The sun’s heat drives the water cycle. It makes water from the oceans rise into the air and eventually fall as rain.

 

1. Evaporation

When the sun heats up the water, it starts to evaporate. This means it changes from a liquid to a gas. The gas is called water vapor.

 

2. Condensation

As it rises, water vapor starts to cool and begins to turn back into tiny water droplets and make clouds. This is called condensation.

 

3. Precipitation

Rain, snow, or hail fall from the clouds when the tiny droplets get heavier than the air around them. This is called precipitation.

 

4. Runoff

Rainwater trickles into streams that flow into rivers, which then carry the rain toward the sea.

 

5. Back to the sea

The water returns to the sea, or is collected in lakes, where the sun heats it and the whole cycle begins again.

 

Is all water the same?

 

Fresh water

Fresh water is the water we drink. Rain is fresh water. We find it in lakes, streams, rivers, underground, and in ice.

 

Salt water

Salt water is found in oceans and seas. It tastes salty compared to fresh water. Salt water makes up 97.5 percent of the water on planet Earth.

 

Quick quiz

What happens when there is a shortage of water?