Water Facts: Water Cycle Illustration

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This illustration shows how percipitation makes its way as groundwater, and becomes water vapor again. Source: American Water Works Association.

Do you know that the water you use today has been around since the earth was formed? It's true. There is a limited supply of water on earth, and it is making its way through the water cycle every day.

The water cycle is made up of four stages. Evaporation is when the sun heats up water in rivers, lakes, and oceans, and turns the water into vapor, and it goes into the air. Condensation is when the vapor gets colder, turns back into liquid, and forms clouds. Precipitation happens when the air can't hold anymore condensation. Precipitation can be rain, snow, or hail. Collection is then the water falls onto the earth, and starts the cycle all over again.