The Water Cycle for Students

A simple path of water from oceans and land to the sky and back again.

The water cycle (hydrological cycle) is continuous. Energy from the Sun drives evaporation. Cooling forms clouds (condensation). Water returns as rain or snow (precipitation) and flows back to rivers, lakes, groundwater, and oceans.

Four Big Steps

• Evaporation and transpiration
• Condensation
• Precipitation
• Collection and runoff

The same water molecules have cycled for billions of years — we borrow them for a while.

Classroom Tip

Track a local puddle after rain: where does the water go? Into the air, into soil, or into a drain? That is the cycle in your neighbourhood.

Understanding the cycle is the foundation of all water science.