NOTEBOOKER · STUDY SONG

State of the Cycle

Sing it back

[Verse 1]
Energy from the Sun warms the open lakes and seas, turning liquid water into invisible gas with ease. Molecules lift from the surface and ascend into the air, as evaporation carries vapor up without a care.

[Chorus]
Liquid turns to vapor as it rises high, then vapor turns to droplets up across the sky. Evaporation turns the liquid to a gas, while condensation forms the clouds that drift and pass.

[Verse 2]
When moist air cools enough, the vapor gathers tight, condensing on small particles to dim the morning light. Gravity pulls precipitation downward to the ground, as rain or snow returns until the cycle turns around.

[Chorus]
Liquid turns to vapor as it rises high, then vapor turns to droplets up across the sky. Evaporation turns the liquid to a gas, while condensation forms the clouds that drift and pass.

What the song teaches

1. Evaporation

   Solar energy provides the heat that causes water molecules to leave a liquid surface and transition into water vapor gas.

   Evaporation turns liquid water into water vapor.

2. Condensation

   As moist air cools, water vapor transitions back into tiny liquid droplets on small particles to form clouds.

   Condensation turns water vapor into liquid droplets.

3. Precipitation

   Condensed atmospheric water falls back to the Earth's surface under the influence of gravity as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

   Precipitation returns water from clouds to Earth's surface as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Pause and recall

1. What is the primary energy source that drives evaporation in the water cycle?
2. How do the physical phase changes of evaporation and condensation contrast with one another?
3. What force pulls precipitation downward to Earth's surface, and what four forms can it take?

AI-generated music and lyrics. Check the source evidence as you study.