Clouds, Rain, and the Water Cycle

Cloud Formation

We know that warm air rises. As air moves higher into the atmosphere, it gets cooler.

1. Evaporation: Water from oceans, lakes, and rivers evaporates into the air as water vapour.
2. Cooling: As this vapour rises, it reaches high altitudes where the air is cold.
3. Condensation: The cold air causes the water vapour to condense into tiny water droplets.
4. Dust Particles: These droplets usually form around tiny dust particles floating in the air.
5. Clouds: Huge clusters of these tiny droplets float in the air and appear to us as clouds.

Rain and Snow

• When the tiny droplets in clouds join together, they become larger and heavier.
• When they become too heavy to float, they fall down as rain.
• If the temperature is extremely cold, the water droplets freeze and fall as hail or snow.

The Water Cycle

This continuous journey of water is called the Water Cycle. It ensures that water is naturally recycled on Earth.

The Cycle Steps

1. Groundwater/Surface Water: Water exists in oceans, rivers, and lakes.
2. Evaporation: Sun heats the water; it turns to vapour and rises.
3. Condensation: Vapour cools to form clouds.
4. Precipitation: Water falls back as rain/snow.
5. Collection: Rainwater flows back into rivers and oceans, and the cycle repeats.