The Water Cycle - Presentation

The Water Cycle is a fascinating and continuous process by which water is circulated throughout the Earth's ecosystems. In a comprehensive presentation aimed at enhancing understanding of this natural phenomenon, students are prompted to explore the stages of the water cycle, including evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and run-off. The presentation poses key questions such as identifying these stages, explaining the influence of temperature and wind on evaporation rates, and describing the formation of rain. The journey of water from evaporation of oceans, lakes, and rivers, to the formation of clouds, and eventually falling as precipitation, is elucidated using the analogy of a water factory. The presentation also delves into the long journey of rainwater on land, which can take centuries to return to the ocean, and how natural filtration through Earth's materials purifies the water.

Interactive elements of the presentation include experiments like 'Cloud in a Jar', where students can witness the condensation process firsthand by observing steam rising from warm water and cooling against ice, simulating cloud formation and precipitation within a jar. Students are encouraged to engage with the material through thought-provoking questions and activities such as creating a water cycle poster and conducting evaporation simulations. These exercises aim to solidify their understanding of the water cycle's mechanisms, such as how temperature affects evaporation and the reasons behind cloud formation and rainfall. The presentation also challenges students to consider the effectiveness of models in representing rain and to observe the water cycle in action through a 'Water Cycle in a Bag' demonstration, highlighting the non-evaporative properties of substances like food colouring compared to water.