Earth Science
Confusing Evaporation and Condensation in the Water Cycle
Students say water vapor forms by condensation and liquid water forms by evaporation.
Quick check
Why students make it
Students often match evaporation with clouds because water seems to disappear upward. They also think condensation means water is leaving a surface because droplets show up on the outside of a cold cup.
The rule done right
Evaporation is liquid water changing into water vapor gas. Condensation is water vapor gas changing into liquid water droplets.
Related resources
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Weather Basics Infographic -
The Water Cycle Infographic -
How Fog Forms Near the Ground Infographic -
How Rain Forms Infographic -
How Clouds Form Infographic - Water Cycle & Watersheds Cheat Sheet
- Groundwater & Aquifers Cheat Sheet
- Atmosphere & Weather Patterns Cheat Sheet
- Science, The Water Cycle Worksheet
- Earth Science, The Water Cycle Worksheet
- Science, Ocean Currents, Tides, and the Water Cycle Worksheet
- Earth Science, Types of Clouds Worksheet
- Atmospheric Layers and Weather Phenomena Worksheet
- Weather & Water Cycle Explorer Tool
- Reversible vs Irreversible Changes Tool
- Water on Earth Explorer Tool
- Water on Earth & Conservation Lab Lab
- Soil Absorption Lab Lab
- Reversible vs Irreversible Changes Lab Lab