What happens during the water cycle?

During the water cycle, water indeed undergoes various transitions in different states, which includes processes such as evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. This cycle starts when water from oceans, rivers, and lakes evaporates into the atmosphere as water vapor due to the heat from the sun. As this water vapor rises and cools, it condenses into tiny droplets, forming clouds. When the droplets coalesce and become heavy enough, they fall back to earth as precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, or hail).

After precipitation, water can enter different pathways: it may run off into bodies of water, seep into the ground to replenish groundwater supplies, or be taken up by plants. This entire process demonstrates the continuous movement and transformation of water in nature, thus highlighting that water is not only created or confined to one state but continuously changes form throughout the cycle. The recognition of these various transitions is central to understanding the dynamics of the water cycle and its crucial role in the environment.