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Drip Drop, Water's Journey
Where Did the Water Go?
Water is one of Earth's most important resources. All living things need water to
survive. We use water every day. Do we have enough water? Where does water come
from?
Remember that the water cycle is the path that water follows as it evaporates
into the air, condenses, and returns to Earth as precipitation. A key part of the
water cycle is evaporation. Evaporation occurs when water changes from a liquid to a
gas, and moves into the atmosphere. It's almost as if the water just disappears.
Have you ever noticed a large puddle left after a rainstorm? Once the Sun comes
out, it affects the water left behind. Later, if you check the puddle again, it
may be almost all gone. Where did the water go? It evaporated. Here's an activity
in which you will observe and record water evaporating.
- Use two identical clear containers, one with a top that closes. Fill both
containers with the same amount of water (you may want to use a measuring cup to
be exact). Close the top of one container and leave the other open. Place a piece
of masking tape on the side of each container. Mark and date the water levels.
- Predict what you think will happen to the water in each container, on each day,
for a week. Write whether the water level in each container will be lower,
higher, or the same each day. Include how the water levels in the two containers
will be similar or different. Use the chart below to list your predictions.
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Water in Open Container
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I predict:
Day 1 ________________________________
Day 2 ________________________________
Day 3 ________________________________
Day 4 ________________________________
Day 5 ________________________________
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I observe:
Day 1 ________________________________
Day 2 ________________________________
Day 3 ________________________________
Day 4 ________________________________
Day 5 ________________________________
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Water in Closed Container
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I predict:
Day 1 ________________________________
Day 2 ________________________________
Day 3 ________________________________
Day 4 ________________________________
Day 5 ________________________________
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I observe:
Day 1 ________________________________
Day 2 ________________________________
Day 3 ________________________________
Day 4 ________________________________
Day 5 ________________________________ |
- Observe the water levels every day for one week, marking the tape at the water
level and writing the date each time. Add your observations to the chart above.
How close were your predictions to your observations? Discuss your findings with
a friend.
- To find out more about the water cycle and evaporation, visit the Water, A
Never-Ending Story Web site at
http://www-k12.atmos.washington.edu/k12/pilot/water_cycle/.
Explore the Web site pages for diagrams and information that will help
you complete the activities.
Home Connection
You can explore water by downloading a lesson page on the Water Cycle at
http://faldo.atmos.uiuc.edu/w_unit/LESSONS/water.cycle.html. This page will tell you
how to build your own terrarium and watch the processes of evaporation,
condensation, and precipitation — right in your own home.
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