WLWeather Lab NC
← Unit 2: Water and EnergyESS.7.1.2

Day 6 of 30

Water Takes Many Paths

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Learning target

I can model multiple pathways water follows through Earth's systems.

Essential question

Why is the water cycle a web of pathways rather than one circle?

Scaffolded notes

Build the idea

1

Water moves among reservoirs

Oceans, lakes, rivers, soil, groundwater, glaciers, living things, and the atmosphere store water for different lengths of time. Water can follow many paths. Rain may run to a stream, infiltrate soil, enter groundwater, be taken up by a plant, or evaporate.

2

Solar energy lifts; gravity pulls down

Energy from the Sun drives evaporation from surfaces and transpiration from plants. Rising moist air can cool, leading to condensation. Gravity causes precipitation to fall and moves runoff and groundwater downhill toward lower elevations and oceans.

3

Matter cycles but does not disappear

Water changes location and state while remaining water. A useful model includes reservoirs, processes, arrows showing direction, and energy or gravity labels. It should allow more than one possible path.

Stop and explain

Check your thinking

1. What powers evaporation?

Possible response: Energy from the Sun.

2. What force moves precipitation and runoff downhill?

Possible response: Gravity.

Interactive challenge

Try the science

Place one possible pathway in a logical order.

  1. Infiltration into soil
  2. Precipitation over land
  3. Cloud condensation
  4. Ocean evaporation

Before you leave

Exit ticket

Describe one path from ocean water to groundwater.