The Water Cycle

The water cycle describes how water moves through the Earth’s atmosphere, land, and oceans. It begins with evaporation, where heat from the sun turns liquid water into vapor. This vapor rises and cools, forming clouds through condensation. When the clouds become heavy, precipitation occurs as rain, snow, or hail. Water then collects in rivers, lakes, and oceans, or infiltrates the ground to recharge groundwater supplies. The cycle repeats continuously, making it essential for sustaining life on Earth.