Water Cycle Diagram

The water cycle describes how water moves through the Earth and atmosphere in a continuous loop. It begins with evaporation, where sunlight heats water in rivers, lakes, and oceans, turning it into vapor. This vapor cools and condenses to form clouds (condensation). When the clouds become heavy, they release water as precipitation, such as rain or snow, which falls back to the ground. Water then collects in bodies of water, soaks into the earth, or flows into rivers, eventually returning to the oceans. This cycle is vital for supporting ecosystems, weather patterns, and providing freshwater resources.