Get How Long Has Water Been Getting Things Wet 2020-2024

You may think every drop of rain falling from the sky, or each glass of water you drink, is brand new, but it has always been here, and is a part of the water cycle. At its most basic, the water cycle is how water continuously moves from the ground to the atmosphere and back again.

The Earth's water cycle began about 3.8 billion years ago when rain fell on a cooling Earth, forming the oceans. The rain came from water vapor that escaped the magma in the Earth's molten core into the atmosphere.

California receives 75 percent of its rain and snow in the watersheds north of Sacramento. However, 80 percent of California's water demand comes from the southern 2/3 of the state.

Within a cloud, water droplets condense onto one another, causing the droplets to grow. When these water droplets get too heavy to stay suspended in the cloud, they fall to Earth as rain.

0:48 1:47 How does rain form and what is the water cycle? - YouTube YouTube Start of suggested clip End of suggested clip Clouds. Are made up of tiny water droplets. So when condensation occurs in the sky clouds form andMoreClouds. Are made up of tiny water droplets. So when condensation occurs in the sky clouds form and grow let's take a closer look.

Precipitation is water released from clouds in the form of rain, freezing rain, sleet, snow, or hail. It is the primary connection in the water cycle that provides for the delivery of atmospheric water to the Earth. Most precipitation falls as rain.

Geologic evidence suggests that large amounts of water have likely flowed on Earth for the past 3.8 billion years—most of its existence.

Predict: What would happen to a glass of water placed in a closet for a few days? The glass will become empty. Why do you think this would happen? The water has evaporated out of the glass.