Academic Task One: Process

The diagram shows the process which is known as the water cycle.

Water accumulates in the sea from water sources such as rivers and additionally, from water which runs off the surface and which flows underground.

The heat from the sun makes the water evaporate and then, water vapour rises into the sky and condenses into clouds.  At the same time, water vapour rises from trees and from fresh water sources such as lakes and again, becomes clouds.

The clouds are blown by the wind and when they reach mountains and are forced to rise, the air becomes colder and at this point, the water vapour turn to liquid and falls in the form of rain, or when it is very cold, in the form of snow.  This is known as precipitation.  Snow remains on the mountain tops where it becomes a source of water.

The precipitation collects to form rivers which eventually return the water to the sea. The cycle is then able to begin again.

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