Precipitation is water that falls from the sky as rain, snow, hail or sleet.

If something has been purified it has had any bad substances removed to make it pure again.

When two or more things are connected to each other they are interconnected.

Water flow around buildings

Geography

The water cycle

Water around the world

Water supply and demand in the UK

Water ownership

Water inequalities

Links to 'Rivers: What, where and how?' where knowledge of the water cycle can be applied, and to 'Climate zones: What are they and why do they matter?', where the distribution of rainfall can be used along with temperature to understand global patterns.

Links to 'Cold places: What is it like at the North and South Poles?' and 'Hot places: What is it like near the Equator?', and to work on weather and distribution of rainfall and temperature.

This unit introduces the water cycle and explores how water moves through natural and built environments. Pupils investigate how water is used, supplied and owned, and consider how access to water differs in the UK and around the world.

The water cycle: why is it important?

When rainwater falls on the roof of a building, what does it flow into?

Which type of water is safe for humans to drink?

a tap that lets mains water enter a building

Match the words to the correct definitions.

Rainwater enters the drain or is stored in a waterbutt.

Can you put this sequence into the correct order?

Mains water enters a building through the stopcock.

Water is transported around a building in pipes.

Wastewater travels through the drain to the sewer.

Can you put these steps into the correct order?

Which of these is a type of precipitation?

Which of these are processes in the water cycle?

Which process is when water becomes water vapour?

The process that describes how water is stored on Earth is called ...

Which of these are natural ways that water is collected and stored?

True or false? The water cycle creates new water that we can use for everyday tasks. 

Starter Quiz

Which of these is a type of precipitation?