How do the sun and ocean interact in the water cycle?

How do the sun and ocean interact in the water cycle?

When water at the ocean’s surface is heated by the Sun it gains energy. With enough energy, the molecules of liquid water change into water vapor and move into the air. This process is called evaporation. Energy from the Sun causes water in the oceans to evaporate.

How is the sun the major source of?

One of the most important sources of energy is the sun. The energy of the sun is the original source of most of the energy found on earth. We get solar heat energy from the sun, and sunlight can also be used to produce electricity from solar (photovoltaic) cells.

Which parts of the water cycle require energy from the sun?

You can see that energy from the Sun is used to produce: 1) Evaporation from the ocean; 2) Evapotranspiration from plants (basically sweating of plants!).

Why is the sun so important in the water cycle?

The sun has a huge effect on our water. It warms the oceans around the tropics, and its absence cools the water around the poles. Because of this, ocean currents move large amounts of warm and cold water, drastically affecting the weather and climate around the world. The sun also drives the water cycle,…

How does the Sun drive the water cycle?

The sun drives the entire water cycle and is responsible for its two major components: condensation and evaporation. When the sun heats the surface of water, it evaporates and ends up in the atmosphere as water vapor. It cools and rises, becoming clouds, which eventually condense into water droplets.

What does the Sun do in the in the water cycle?

Stages of Water Cycle Evaporation. The sun is the ultimate source of energy, and it powers most of the evaporation that occurs on earth. Sublimation. Sublimation occurs when snow or ice changes directly into water vapour without becoming water. Condensation. Precipitation. Infiltration. Runoff.

Would the water cycle exist without the Sun?

Without the sun to start the process of evaporation, the water cycle wouldn’t exist. We wouldn’t have clouds, rain or weather. The water on the planet would be stagnant. It would also be solid, since without the sun to warm it, the Earth would be entirely frozen.