NSES Content Standard D
Earth and Space Science: Structure of the Earth system Grades 5-8, page 160 Water, which covers the majority of the earth's surface, circulates
through the crust, oceans, and atmosphere in what is known as the "water
cycle." Water evaporates from the earth's surface, rises and cools as it
moves to higher elevations, condenses as rain or snow, and falls to the
surface where it collects in lakes, oceans, soil, and in rocks underground.
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Benchmark 4B The Physical Setting: The
Earth
Grades 6-8, page 68
The earth is mostly rock. Three-fourths of its surface is covered by
a relatively thin layer of water (some of it frozen), and the entire planet
is surrounded by a relatively thin blanket of air. It is the only body
in the solar system that appears able to support life. The other planets
have compositions and conditions very different from the earth's.
Benchmark 4B The Physical Setting: The
Earth
Grades 6-8, page 69
The cycling of water in and out of the atmosphere plays an important
role in determining climatic patterns. Water evaporates from the surface
of the earth, rises and cools, condenses into rain or snow, and falls again
to the surface. The water falling on land collects in rivers and lakes,
soil, and porous layers of rock, and much of it flows back into the ocean.
Benchmark 4B The Physical Setting: The
Earth
Grades 9-12, page 70
Life is adapted to conditions on the earth, including the force of
gravity that enables the planet to retain an adequate atmosphere, and an
intensity of radiation from the sun that allows water to cycle between
liquid and vapor.