How Does the Sun’s Energy Keep Water Moving Around the Planet?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How does the Sun’s energy keep water moving around the planet?

The Big Idea

The Sun does not only light our days. It also keeps water moving around the whole planet. Let's follow a drop on its trip!

Sunlight Warms

Step one: sunlight warms. Sunlight warms oceans, lakes, and puddles. Some water changes into water vapor, a gas, and rises into the air.

Clouds Form

Step two: clouds form. High up, the vapor cools and turns back into tiny droplets. Those droplets make clouds.

Rain and Snow

Step three: rain and snow. When the droplets get big enough, they fall as rain or snow. The Sun is the engine that keeps this cycle going.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! The Sun heats water. Vapor rises into the air. Clouds form high up. Rain falls back down.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Every day, the Sun lifts enough water into the air to fill billions of bathtubs. Water vapor is a gas made from water. Clouds are made of tiny floating droplets. The cycle never stops, because the Sun never stops.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Put a small amount of water in a clear tray. Leave it in a sunny window. Mark the water level in the morning. Mark it again in the evening. Share your results with someone you love.

Outro

The Sun's energy lifts water into the air and keeps it moving around the planet as clouds, rain, and snow. Next time you see a puddle shrink, remember where that water went. Science is amazing! Stay curious! Share what you learned with someone at home, and see what they think! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!