The Water Cycle

Evaporation, condensation, and precipitation

The water cycle (hydrological cycle) describes how water continuously moves through Earth's systems. Evaporation: the sun heats surface water, causing it to change from liquid to gas (water vapor) and rise into the atmosphere. Transpiration: plants release water vapor through their leaves. Condensation: as water vapor rises, it cools and condenses around tiny particles to form clouds (liquid water droplets). Precipitation: when cloud droplets combine and grow heavy enough, they fall as rain or snow. Collection: water collects in oceans, lakes, rivers, and groundwater. The cycle then repeats. The water on Earth today is the same water that has always been here — constantly recycled.