The rain that falls from the sky today has been around for thousands of years. The molecules of water in today's rainfall might have been in yesterday's cloud or last week's dew, or in a lake or ocean. Although water takes three basic forms (liquid, solid and gas) we see in many forms of it, such as frost, snow, rain, and clouds. The cycle of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation never ends.
Triple Waters
Water comes in three forms. As a liquid, we see it in the lakes and oceans, we see it falling as rain, and we see it come into our home for drinking or washing. As a solid, we see water as ice and snow. As a gas, water vapor is always floating in the air. Water changes from liquid to solid by freezing. It changes from liquid to gas by evaporation. It changes from gas to liquid by condensation. Can you guess how it changes from solid to liquid?
Air Full of Water
You can't see it, but the air contains a lot of water. Warm air can hold more water vapor than cold air. When air gets cold, the water vapor condenses into clouds. And when warm air holds a lot of water vapor, the air can feel sticky and damp. The amount of water in the air is called humidity.
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Triple Waters
Water comes in three forms. As a liquid, we see it in the lakes and oceans, we see it falling as rain, and we see it come into our home for drinking or washing. As a solid, we see water as ice and snow. As a gas, water vapor is always floating in the air. Water changes from liquid to solid by freezing. It changes from liquid to gas by evaporation. It changes from gas to liquid by condensation. Can you guess how it changes from solid to liquid?
Air Full of Water
You can't see it, but the air contains a lot of water. Warm air can hold more water vapor than cold air. When air gets cold, the water vapor condenses into clouds. And when warm air holds a lot of water vapor, the air can feel sticky and damp. The amount of water in the air is called humidity.
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©Copyright 2005 Nick Walker/Small Gate Media