Learn How the Water Cycle Works
Make a model of the water cycle to understand each part of it and how these parts interact with each other to provide plants, animals, and humans with water.
Total Time25 minutes mins
2 large bowls a coffee cup will need to sit on the inside of one of the bowls.
1 coffee mug or small glass
2 rubber bands The rubber bands need to be large enough to go over the bowls, or you can tape the plastic wrap to the bowls to make a secure seal.
1 pitcher of water at room temperature
Place the coffee mugs upright on the bottom of the bowls. Place one mug per bowl.
Fill each bowl 1/4 full of room temperature water. Be careful not to pour any water into the coffee mugs.
Cover the bowls tightly with plastic wrap and secure them with a rubber band or tape. Cover the mug and all with plastic wrap.
Place one bowl in a shady location and the other bowl in a sunny location.
Record the “start” time on the datasheet in the printable listed on this post. The start time is the time when you place the mini-water cycle in its location. Then, record when you first observed water droplets condense on the plastic wrap. Find the difference between those two times and calculate how long it took for condensation to begin to form.
Leave these water cycles to sit for several days and observe.