Write a paragraph that describes the path that one drop of water takes as it moves through the water cycle. In your paragraph, include at least two changes in the form of water.
A drop of water in the ocean undergoes evaporation when heated by the sun, changing from a liquid state to a gas. As the water vapor rises into the atmosphere, it cools and undergoes condensation to form clouds. Eventually, the water falls back to the Earth's surface as precipitation, such as rain or snow. Once on the ground, the water may flow as runoff into a stream or river, which eventually carries it back to the ocean to begin the cycle again.
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Write a paragraph explaining how adhesion, cohesion, and capillary action all enable water to go from the roots to the top of a tall tree.
To transport water from the roots to the leaves of a tall tree, plants rely on the unique properties of water caused by its polar nature and hydrogen bonds. Cohesion is the attraction that makes water molecules stick to one another, creating a continuous water column. Adhesion is the attraction between water molecules and the walls of the tree's xylem vessels, which helps the water move against gravity. These two forces work together to produce capillary action, allowing water to climb upward. As water evaporates from the leaves, it pulls the entire column of water up from the roots.
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