water cycle
the change of water from one state to another as it travels from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back
evaporation
the process of changing from a liquid to a gas, usually caused by energy from the sun
condensation
the process of changing from a gas to a liquid, such as water vapor changing into water
precipitation
water falling to the surface of the Earth in the form of rain, hail, sleet, or snow
transpiration
the process of water vapor leaving a plant and entering the atmosphere
surface water
water on top of Earth's surface
groundwater
water below Earth's surface
respiration
the process in which animals release water vapor
weather
the condition of the air in a specific place at a specific time
climate
the usual weather in a place
humidity
water vapor in the air
precipitation
water falling to the surface of the Earth in the form of rain, hail, sleet, or snow
front
the place where an air mass meets another air mass
air mass
a large pocket of air
air pressure
the weight of the air pressing on everything in the environment
cloud
a visible mass of water or ice droplets above the ground