What do clouds consist of?

Tiny droplets of water or ice crystals

Water droplets falling from clouds when they become heavy enough

Frozen water falling from the sky

What is the continuous movement of water in nature called?

The water cycle (hydrological cycle)

What is transpiration?

The process by which plants release water vapour through their leaves

The process of water evaporating from rivers

Ice crystals that form and fall from clouds at freezing temperatures

Condensed water vapour on the ground

Why does water in a wet cloth dry faster on a windy day?

Wind carries away water vapour from the cloth's surface, increasing the rate of evaporation

Wind brings more water to the cloth

Why do we see dew drops on grass in the early morning?

At night, the temperature drops and water vapour in the air condenses on cool surfaces like grass

Dew comes from underground water

Rain falls very lightly at night

Why do we feel cool when water evaporates from our skin?

Evaporation is a cooling process – water absorbs heat from our body to evaporate, lowering skin temperature

Evaporation adds moisture to the air

Water is cold when it leaves the body

Why does the water cycle never stop?

Because water continuously evaporates, condenses, and returns as precipitation – a continuous closed loop

Because the Earth keeps rotating

What role does the Sun play in the water cycle?

It provides energy to evaporate water from oceans, rivers, and lakes

It has no role in the water cycle

Why is groundwater important?

It is a source of fresh water underground that is used for drinking, agriculture, and industry, especially when surface water is scarce

Groundwater is only found in deserts

Why does a glass of cold water have water droplets on its outside surface?

Water vapour from the warm air condenses on the cold glass surface

Water passes through the glass walls

Cold water evaporates through the glass

The amount of water vapour present in the air

The amount of rainfall in a year

Why does snow form instead of rain in very cold conditions?

When the temperature is below 0°C, water freezes into ice crystals (snow) before reaching the ground

Snow forms when there is no wind

Snow and rain form the same way

Snow forms from liquid water underground

How does transpiration by plants contribute to the water cycle?

Plants release water vapour into the air through transpiration, contributing to humidity and cloud formation

Plants absorb water from clouds

Transpiration is not part of the water cycle

Plants only absorb water, not release it

Why do we use wet sand bags or clay pots to keep water cool?

Water evaporates through the porous surface, absorbing heat and cooling the remaining water

Clay and sand block heat from the Sun

Water in pots is cooler due to their shape

How does the water cycle help distribute fresh water around the Earth?

Evaporation from seas produces fresh water vapour that falls as rain and snow inland, providing fresh water far from the sea

The water cycle only moves water in the oceans

All rain falls back into the sea

The water cycle only works in tropical areas

Why do mountainous regions often receive more rainfall than plains?

As moist air rises over mountains, it cools and water vapour condenses, causing rainfall on the windward side

Plains have hotter air that repels rain

How does deforestation affect the water cycle?

Fewer trees mean less transpiration, reduced rainfall, increased surface runoff (flooding), and decreased groundwater recharge

Deforestation increases rainfall

Trees have no effect on the water cycle

Deforestation only affects animals

Explain why puddles disappear faster on a hot sunny day than on a cloudy day.

Higher temperature increases evaporation rate; sunlight provides energy for water molecules to escape into the air faster

Sun pulls water into the ground

Clouds reflect water back to puddles

Puddles disappear at the same rate

What is hail and how does it form?

Hail forms when water droplets are carried up by strong winds in a cloud, freeze, collect more ice, and fall as ice balls

Hail forms from snowflakes melting and refreezing

Why is the water cycle important for life on Earth?

It distributes fresh water, regulates temperature, supports plant growth, and maintains Earth's ecosystems

The water cycle only benefits farmers

The water cycle only works in oceans

Life does not depend on the water cycle

How does high humidity affect evaporation?

High humidity means air is already saturated with water vapour, reducing the rate of evaporation

High humidity increases evaporation

Humidity has no effect on evaporation

High humidity stops condensation

Which of the following are processes that add water vapour to the atmosphere?

Evaporation from oceans and rivers

Which of the following factors increase the rate of evaporation?

Larger surface area of water exposed

Climate change is causing glaciers to melt. How does this affect the water cycle and human populations?

Melting glaciers initially increase river flow (flooding risk), then reduce it as glaciers disappear, threatening water supply for millions who depend on glacial rivers

Melting glaciers make water cleaner

Melting glaciers only affect polar bears

A student in a hot, dry desert notices that covering plants with clear plastic sheets overnight collects water. Explain why.

The plant transpires water vapour, which condenses on the cooler plastic sheet at night, forming water droplets that can be collected

Plastic absorbs water from the air

Water rises through the plant into the plastic

This method does not work scientifically

Why is it said that the water you drink may have been drunk by ancient humans or even dinosaurs?

Water is continuously recycled in the water cycle – the same water molecules have been evaporating, condensing, and falling as rain for billions of years

Ancient water was chemically different

Water is created fresh in the atmosphere

Modern water has different molecules than ancient water

How does the phenomenon of sea breeze use the principles of heat and water explained in this chapter?

Land heats faster than sea, air over land rises, and cooler sea air moves inland – this is convection created by differential heating of land and water

Sea breezes come from ocean waves

Sea breezes are caused by evaporation only

Water has the same heat capacity as land

India often faces floods in one region and droughts in another. How does uneven rainfall distribution relate to the water cycle?

Monsoon winds carry moisture from the ocean; geographical features (mountains, plains) cause uneven distribution – heavy rain on windward sides, dry conditions on leeward sides

Droughts and floods are unrelated to the water cycle

Rainfall distribution is always equal in India

Only human activity causes droughts

Which of the following show the importance of water conservation?

Groundwater is depleted faster than it is recharged in many areas

Water scarcity affects food production and human health

Forests help recharge groundwater and regulate rainfall

Wasting water does not affect the water cycle

Which of the following correctly describe the water cycle?

Evaporation converts liquid water to water vapour

Precipitation returns water to the Earth's surface

The water cycle only works over oceans

Which human activities disrupt the natural water cycle?

Deforestation reducing transpiration and rainfall

Paving land surfaces, reducing groundwater recharge

Excessive use of groundwater depleting aquifers

Which factors determine whether precipitation falls as rain, snow, or hail?

Temperature of the air through which water falls

Which of the following statements about evaporation are correct?

Evaporation happens at all temperatures, not just at boiling point

Evaporation takes place from the surface of the liquid

Evaporation and boiling are the same process

NCERT Solutions Class 6 Science Chapter 8 – A Journey Through States of Water

Name: A Journey Through States of Water – Class 6 Science
Uploaded: 2026-07-24T05:14:43+00:00
Description: This chapter explores the different states of water—solid, liquid, and gas— and how they change through processes like evaporation, condensation, melting, and freezing. It also explains the water cycle, cooling effects, and why water conservation is important.

Class 6 Science

Last Updated: 24 July 2026

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Chapter Introduction

This chapter explores the different states of water—solid, liquid, and gas— and how they change through processes like evaporation, condensation, melting, and freezing. It also explains the water cycle, cooling effects, and why water conservation is important.

हिंदी में (Hindi)

यह अध्याय पानी की विभिन्न अवस्थाओं — ठोस, तरल और गैस — को समझाता है, और यह बताता है कि वाष्पीकरण, संघनन, गलन और जमाव जैसी प्रक्रियाओं से ये अवस्थाएँ कैसे बदलती हैं। यह जल चक्र, शीतलन प्रभावों और जल संरक्षण के महत्व को भी स्पष्ट करता है।

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Important Points

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Practice MCQ Questions (41 questions)

Q1. What are the three states of water?

Q2. At what temperature does water boil and become steam?

Q3. At what temperature does water freeze to become ice?

Q4. What is the process called when water changes from liquid to gas?

Q5. What is the process called when water vapour changes to liquid water?

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Tough Words (Glossary)

Evaporation

Meaning: Changing of liquid water into water vapour

अर्थ: वाष्पीकरण

"Evaporation dries wet clothes on a sunny day."

Condensation

Meaning: Changing of water vapour into liquid water

अर्थ: संघनन

"Drops on a cold glass form due to condensation."

Vapour

Meaning: Gas form of a substance, especially water

अर्थ: वाष्प

"Boiling water produces water vapour."

Gaseous

Meaning: Relating to gas state

अर्थ: गैसीय

"Steam is water in the gaseous state."

Droplet

Meaning: A very small drop of liquid

अर्थ: बूंदिका

"Mist is made of tiny droplets of water."

Humidity

Meaning: Amount of water vapour in the air

अर्थ: आर्द्रता

"High humidity slows the drying of clothes."

Seep

Meaning: To pass slowly through a surface or material

अर्थ: रसना/रिसना

"Water can seep through soil."

Disappearing

Meaning: Becoming unseen or no longer present

अर्थ: गायब होना

"The puddle is disappearing in the sun."

Investigate

Meaning: To carry out a study or experiment

अर्थ: जांच करना

"We will investigate why the floor dries fast."

Infer

Meaning: To draw a conclusion from evidence

अर्थ: निष्कर्ष निकालना

"From the data we infer that it was evaporation."

Conclude

Meaning: To reach a final decision or judgement

अर्थ: निष्कर्ष पर पहुँचना

"We conclude that no water seeped through the glass."

Sprinkle

Meaning: To scatter small drops of liquid

अर्थ: छिड़कना

"They sprinkle water on the hot pan."

Accumulate

Meaning: To gather or collect

अर्थ: इकट्ठा होना

"Drops accumulate on the steel plate lid."

Deposit (verb)

Meaning: To place or lay down in a layer

अर्थ: जमना/जमा होना

"Tiny drops deposit on the outer surface."

Prediction

Meaning: A statement about what you think will happen

अर्थ: भविष्यवाणी/पूर्वानुमान

"Make a prediction before the activity."

Observation

Meaning: Careful watching and noting of facts

अर्थ: अवलोकन

"Write your observation in the notebook."

Weighing balance

Meaning: Instrument used to measure mass

अर्थ: तौल तराजू/तुला

"The weighing balance showed an increase in mass."

Exposure

Meaning: Being open to contact with something

अर्थ: सामना/उद्घाटन

"Greater exposure to air speeds evaporation."

Room temperature

Meaning: Usual temperature of an indoor space

अर्थ: कक्ष तापमान

"Evaporation occurs even at room temperature."

Puddle

Meaning: A small pool of water on the ground

अर्थ: छोटा जलकुंड/कीचड़ का गड्ढा

"Puddles form after rain."

Utensil

Meaning: A container used in the kitchen

अर्थ: बर्तन

"Water did not seep through the utensil."

Steel plate

Meaning: A flat metal dish used to cover or serve

अर्थ: स्टील की थाली/प्लेट

"Cover the pot with a steel plate."

Tumbler

Meaning: A drinking glass without a handle

अर्थ: गिलास

"Ice was added to the glass tumbler."

Mass

Meaning: Amount of matter in an object

अर्थ: द्रव्यमान

"The mass increased due to condensation."

State (of matter)

Meaning: Form in which matter exists: solid, liquid, gas

अर्थ: अवस्था

"Water exists in three states."

Solid

Meaning: State with fixed shape and volume

अर्थ: ठोस

"Ice is solid water."

Liquid

Meaning: State with fixed volume but changing shape

अर्थ: द्रव

"Water is a liquid."

Gas

Meaning: State without fixed shape or volume

अर्थ: गैस

"Water vapour is a gas."

Retain

Meaning: To keep or hold

अर्थ: बनाए रखना

"Ice retains its shape in any container."

Spread

Meaning: To extend over a larger area

अर्थ: फैलना

"Water spreads on a flat plate."

Volume

Meaning: Space occupied by a substance

अर्थ: आयतन

"Water keeps the same volume when poured."

Container

Meaning: An object used to hold something

अर्थ: पात्र/बर्तन

"Water takes the shape of its container."

Freezer

Meaning: Very cold compartment for freezing

अर्थ: फ़्रीज़र

"Water freezes into ice in the freezer."

Melt

Meaning: To change from solid to liquid

अर्थ: पिघलना

"Ice will melt at room temperature."

Freezing

Meaning: Changing from liquid to solid

अर्थ: जमना/ठोस बनना

"Freezing turns water into ice."

Heating

Meaning: Giving heat to raise temperature

अर्थ: तापन/गर्म करना

"Heating water makes it evaporate faster."

Cooling

Meaning: Removing heat to lower temperature

अर्थ: शीतलन/ठंडा करना

"Cooling causes condensation."

Convert

Meaning: To change from one form to another

अर्थ: परिवर्तित करना

"Steam converts into water on cooling."

Surface

Meaning: The outside part or boundary of an object

अर्थ: सतह

"Drops formed on the cold surface."

Windy

Meaning: With a lot of wind

अर्थ: हवादार

"Clothes dry faster on a windy day."

Sanitiser

Meaning: Liquid used to kill germs on hands

अर्थ: सैनिटाइज़र

"Sanitiser dries quickly due to evaporation."

Earthen pot (Matka)

Meaning: Clay pot used to store water

अर्थ: मटका (मिट्टी का घड़ा)

"Water stays cool in an earthen pot."

Cooling effect

Meaning: Lowering of temperature due to evaporation

अर्थ: शीतल प्रभाव

"Sweat gives a cooling effect as it evaporates."

Moist

Meaning: Slightly wet or damp

अर्थ: नम

"Keep the sand moist for better cooling."

Atmosphere

Meaning: Layer of air surrounding the Earth

अर्थ: वायुमंडल

"Water vapour rises into the atmosphere."

Dew

Meaning: Drops formed by condensation near the ground

अर्थ: ओस

"We see dew on grass in the morning."

Hail

Meaning: Frozen balls of ice that fall from clouds

अर्थ: ओले

"Under special conditions, rain falls as hail."

Water cycle

Meaning: Continuous movement of water on Earth

अर्थ: जल चक्र

"Evaporation and condensation drive the water cycle."

Conservation

Meaning: Protection and careful use of resources

अर्थ: संरक्षण

"We must practise water conservation."

Shortage

Meaning: A state of not having enough

अर्थ: कमी

"Many cities face water shortage in summer."

Pollution

Meaning: Making air, water, or land dirty and unsafe

अर्थ: प्रदूषण

"Keep water bodies free from pollution."

← Previous

Ch 7: Temperature And Its Measurement

Ch 9: Methods of Separation in Everyday Life

NCERT Solutions Class 6 Science Chapter 8 – A Journey Through States of Water

Chapter Introduction

Watch Video Lecture

Important Points

Practice MCQ Questions (41 questions)

Q1. What are the three states of water?

Q2. At what temperature does water boil and become steam?

Q3. At what temperature does water freeze to become ice?

Q4. What is the process called when water changes from liquid to gas?

Q5. What is the process called when water vapour changes to liquid water?

Q6. What do clouds consist of?

Q7. What is rain?

Q8. What is the continuous movement of water in nature called?

Q9. What is transpiration?

Q10. What is snow?

Q11. Why does water in a wet cloth dry faster on a windy day?

Q12. Why do we see dew drops on grass in the early morning?

Q13. Why do we feel cool when water evaporates from our skin?

Q14. Why does the water cycle never stop?

Q15. What role does the Sun play in the water cycle?

Q16. Why is groundwater important?

Q17. Why does a glass of cold water have water droplets on its outside surface?

Q18. What is humidity?

Q19. Why does snow form instead of rain in very cold conditions?

Q20. How does transpiration by plants contribute to the water cycle?

Q21. Why do we use wet sand bags or clay pots to keep water cool?

Q22. How does the water cycle help distribute fresh water around the Earth?

Q23. Why do mountainous regions often receive more rainfall than plains?

Q24. How does deforestation affect the water cycle?

Q25. Explain why puddles disappear faster on a hot sunny day than on a cloudy day.

Q26. What is hail and how does it form?

Q27. Why is the water cycle important for life on Earth?

Q28. How does high humidity affect evaporation?

Q29. Which of the following are processes that add water vapour to the atmosphere?

Q30. Which of the following are examples of condensation in daily life?

Q31. Which of the following factors increase the rate of evaporation?

Q32. Climate change is causing glaciers to melt. How does this affect the water cycle and human populations?

Q33. A student in a hot, dry desert notices that covering plants with clear plastic sheets overnight collects water. Explain why.

Q34. Why is it said that the water you drink may have been drunk by ancient humans or even dinosaurs?

Q35. How does the phenomenon of sea breeze use the principles of heat and water explained in this chapter?

Q36. India often faces floods in one region and droughts in another. How does uneven rainfall distribution relate to the water cycle?

Q37. Which of the following show the importance of water conservation?

Q38. Which of the following correctly describe the water cycle?

Q39. Which human activities disrupt the natural water cycle?

Q40. Which factors determine whether precipitation falls as rain, snow, or hail?

Q41. Which of the following statements about evaporation are correct?