Name: __________________
Science – Study Guide
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Date: _______
Science Vocabulary Words
1. atmosphere- The blanket of gases that surrounds earth.
2. water vapor- A gas in earth’s atmosphere.
3. groundwater- Water stored in the cracks of underground rocks.
4. evaporation- The process in which water particles change from a liquid to
a gas.
5. condensation-The process in which water particles change from a gas to a
liquid.
6. cloud- A mass of tiny droplets of condensed water in the atmosphere.
7. precipitation- Water in the atmosphere that falls to Earth as rain, snow,
hail, or sleet.
8. freeze- The process in which moving particles in water slow down, lose
heat, and change from a liquid to a solid.
9. melt- When water particles absorb heat energy and change from a solid to a
liquid.
10. water cycle- The continuous movement of water between Earth’s surface
and the air, changing from liquid to gas to liquid.
11. cumulous cloud- Cumulus clouds are puffy white or light gray clouds that
look like floating cotton balls. Cumulus clouds can be associated with good
weather.
12. stratus cloud- are gray in color and can cover most or all of the sky.
Stratus clouds can look like a fog that doesn't reach the ground. Light mist or
drizzle is sometimes associated with stratus clouds
13. cirrus cloud- are composed entirely of ice and consist of long, thin, wispy
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streamers. Cirrus clouds are usually white and predict fair weather.
14. cumulonimbus cloud- Cumulonimbus clouds are big, puffy dark clouds.
They are associated with heavy rain, hail, and lightning.
15.) erosion- When water, wind, glaciers, or waves pick up dirt and rocks and
move them around.
You must be able to draw a picture of the water cycle and label what is happening in
each step.
Sun
** When water evaporates it turns into a gas.
**Rain, snow, sleet and hail are all kinds of precipitation.
** The major source of energy in the water cycle is the sun.
**Evaporation occurs more quickly when there are hot temperatures because the
molecules move faster and faster.
**Condensation occurs where there are cold temperatures because the molecules move
slower and slower.