The Water Cycle (document)

The water cycle describes how water moves through Earth's environment continuously. It begins with evaporation, where the sun heats water in lakes, rivers, or oceans, turning it into vapor. This vapor rises and cools, forming clouds through condensation. When clouds become heavy, water falls back as precipitation—rain, snow, or sleet. The water then collects in bodies of water or soaks into the ground, becoming groundwater. This process repeats, maintaining the balance of freshwater on Earth. The cycle is essential for sustaining life, regulating climate, and shaping ecosystems.