The Water Cycle

Water is a world traveler that never leaves the planet. It starts in the ocean, turns into invisible gas to climb into the sky, and then bunches up into clouds. When the clouds get too heavy, the water falls back down as rain or snow to thirsty plants. This cycle has been happening for billions of years, meaning you might be drinking the same water a dinosaur once did! It is the planet's way of recycling and cleaning itself so life can keep growing.

Your body is mostly water. You are a flowing part of the Earth's great cycle. The rain is not falling on you. The rain is returning to you.

Hydrology involves continuous movement of water through lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Evapotranspiration and condensation represent phase transitions governed by latent heat exchange. Hydrogen bonding dictates water's unique properties. Distribution of water dictates boundaries of biomes — the water cycle is the circulatory system of the planet.

SOUND: The rhythmic plink-plonk of rain hitting a tin roof.

SMELL: Petrichor — the earthy scent of dust meeting the first rain.

TASTE: The crisp, neutral coolness of a glass of pure spring water.

TOUCH: Damp, heavy mist on your face in the morning.

SIGHT: A rainbow forming when sunlight hits retreating rain clouds.

BODY: Heaviness in your limbs when humidity is very high: your body feeling the water cycle.

Music: Sleeping on the Blacktop by Colter Wall

Music: Let Your Troubles Roll By by Carbon Leaf

Music: Champagne Supernova by Oasis

Part of Sky & Weather — NATURE — Education Revelation