Why Do Puddles Disappear?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do puddles disappear?

The Big Idea

A puddle doesn't vanish into nowhere! Some of the water soaks into the ground. The rest turns into invisible vapor and joins the air. That second job is called evaporation.

Rain Makes a Pool

Step one: rain makes a pool, and the sun warms it. After rain, water collects in a low spot and makes a puddle. Then the sun warms the water, and the water gets busy. Warm water has more energy, and that energy helps the water escape.

Bits Fly Off

Step two: tiny bits of water fly off. Sun and wind give the tiniest bits of water enough energy to fly off the surface as invisible vapor. Dry air can hold more of those bits than damp air. You can't see them go, but they're leaving.

Some Soaks In

Step three: some water soaks in, and a dry patch is left. While some water turns to vapor, some seeps down into the soil. Soon the puddle shrinks, and only a dry stain is left behind. The water isn't gone. It's in the air, and it will come back again.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at evaporation! The sun warms the puddle. Vapor rises from the surface in invisible arrows. And some water soaks into the soil, leaving a dry stain.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Wind speeds up evaporation by sweeping the vapor away. A lid on a pan slows the same process in a kitchen. The water is still in the water cycle. It will come back as a cloud or dew. Don't taste street puddles. They can hide germs.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, chalk the edge of a puddle after rain. Check the puddle again in 2 hours. Did the sun or the shade win? Where did the missing water go?

Outro

Puddles don't vanish, they just go on an adventure up into the air! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!