USGS - science for a changing world

The USGS Water Science School

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Go to a page to view the Kid's Water Cycle diagram Go back to the water cycle diagram.

The Water Cycle for Kids
Evaporation - Liquid water evaporates into a gas-water vapor

Here is the Beaver Valley Electricity Power Station in Pennsylvania. What stands out are the huge towers–cooling towers. When electricity is generated, the water used becomes very hot. The hot water is sprayed inside these large towers and the water cools as it evaporates in the air.

And the "clouds" you see? Those are like any other clouds, which are caused by the water vapor gas (that was evaporated) turning back into tiny liquid cloud particles (condensation).

Beaver Valley Power Station in Pennsylvania. Hot water evaporating inside the towers creates steam that rises from large cooling towers.

Credit: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

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Page Last Modified: Monday, 28-Nov-2016 13:34:10 EST