A large rain storm hits your town and it rains all day. How does this event relate to the water cycle, and what happens to the water after the rain storm? First, state which stage of the water cycle is demonstrated by the storm. Next, use the remaining stages of the water cycle to explain what happens to the water as the water cycle is completed. Remember that the stages of the water cycle include evaporation, precipitation, condensation, and runoff
The stage of the water cycle demonstrated by the rainstorm is precipitation. Precipitation occurs when the condensed water vapor in the atmosphere becomes too heavy and falls back to the Earth's surface as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
After the rainstorm, the water goes through the remaining stages of the water cycle. First, some of the water on the ground will evaporate, converting from a liquid state to a gaseous state. This process occurs when the Sun's heat energy causes the water molecules to gain enough energy to break their bonds and rise into the atmosphere as water vapor.
Once the water vapor is in the atmosphere, it cools down and begins to condense. Condensation is the process in which water vapor transforms into liquid water. This occurs when the warm moist air rises, cools, and reaches its dew point, causing the water vapor to change back into liquid form and forming clouds.
As the water droplets in the clouds combine and grow larger, they eventually become too heavy and fall back to the Earth's surface. This process is called precipitation and includes rain, snow, sleet, or hail. The water that fell during the rainstorm becomes runoff, which is the movement of liquid water across the Earth's surface, often into streams, rivers, and eventually the oceans.
The runoff water can also be absorbed by the ground, recharging groundwater, or taken up by plants through their roots. In some cases, the water may infiltrate deep into the Earth, becoming groundwater, which can later be released through springs or used as a source for wells. Additionally, some of the runoff water may evaporate again, starting the cycle anew.
Therefore, the large rainstorm represents the precipitation stage of the water cycle, and the water goes through subsequent stages such as evaporation, condensation, and runoff as it completes the water cycle. These stages ensure the continuous movement and recycling of water on Earth.