Condensation in the water cycle is when water vapor in the air cools down and turns back into liquid water, forming clouds.
Understanding Condensation
Imagine you're outside on a hot day with a cold glass of lemonade. You'll notice water droplets forming on the outside of the glass. That's condensation! The same thing happens in the sky.
- Water Vapor Rises: Warm water vapor (water in gas form) rises into the air.
- Cooling Down: As it goes higher, the air gets colder.
- Changing Back: The water vapor cools down and changes back into liquid water droplets. This is condensation. According to the reference, "As water vapour rises up high into the sky, it cools and turns back into a liquid, forming clouds".
- Cloud Formation: These tiny water droplets join together and form clouds.
- Moving Clouds: The clouds are then moved around the world by air currents.
Condensation Examples
Here's a table showing some examples of condensation:
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Dew on grass | Water vapor in the air cools overnight and turns into liquid. |
| Foggy mirror in bathroom | Warm, moist air from the shower cools on the cold mirror. |
| Clouds in the sky | Water vapor cools high up in the sky to form water droplets. |
Why is Condensation Important?
Condensation is a crucial part of the water cycle because it forms clouds, which eventually bring us rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Without condensation, we wouldn't have the water we need to drink, water our plants, or enjoy many other activities. It helps keep the water cycle going!
