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.(2 points) Short Answer Rubric (4 points) Points Awarded Criteria 4 The answer is very clear. The answer is fully supported by details. There may be a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere with meaning. 3 The answer is clear. The answer is somewhat supported by details. There may be a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere with meaning. 2 The answer is somewhat clear. The answer is not fully supported by details. There may be a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning. 1 The answer is not clear. Details are weak or not related. There are some errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning. 0 The question is not answered.
The stage of the water cycle demonstrated by the rainstorm is precipitation. Precipitation occurs when water in the atmosphere condenses into droplets or ice crystals and falls to the ground as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
After the rainstorm, the water goes through the remaining stages of the water cycle. First, some of the rainwater will evaporate, which means it will turn from a liquid state to a gas state and rise into the atmosphere. This occurs due to the sun's heat, which causes the water molecules to gain energy and become water vapor.
The water vapor then undergoes the stage of condensation. As the warm, moist air rises, it cools down. This cooling causes the water vapor to condense back into liquid or ice form, forming clouds. These clouds are made up of countless water droplets or ice crystals.
Next, when the air becomes saturated and can no longer hold the condensed water, the water droplets or ice crystals combine to form larger droplets or crystals. This process is known as coalescence. Once the droplets or crystals become too heavy for the cloud to support, they fall to the ground as precipitation, starting the cycle anew.
During the runoff stage, the precipitation that falls onto the ground flows over the land surface as streams, rivers, and runoff water. This water eventually reaches lakes, oceans, and other bodies of water, where it can evaporate again and continue the water cycle.
In summary, a rainstorm demonstrates the precipitation stage of the water cycle. After the rainstorm, the water goes through the stages of evaporation, condensation, and runoff to complete the water cycle.