Question

You are a molecule of water. Choose a starting point in the water cycle and describe the process you would go through to move through the entire cycle.

Answer 1

Starting from the ocean, the heat from the sun facilitates evaporation and water vapor molecules begin to rise. As the molecules rise they cool and condense to form clouds. As more clouds form and they become 'heavy' precipitation in the form of rain occurs. When the molecules fall to the earth, they enter the soil via the process of infiltration. Water can then move through the soil profile via the process of percolation and can reach ground water. Ground water can then eventually reach the sea....starting the cycle again.<span />

Answer 2

The water molecule in the lake evaporates, then the water molecule cools and undergoes condensation. Each water droplet increases in size and then falls to the earth in the form of precipitation. The precipitation returns to a reservoir, in this case, groundwater. The water remains in a reservoir temporarily before it is evaporated and starts to begin the process all over again.