The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle, is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. Water undergoes various processes that result in its circulation around the planet. It begins with evaporation, where water from oceans, rivers, and other bodies of water is heated by the sun and turns into water vapor. This vapor rises into the atmosphere, where it cools and condenses to form clouds through a process called condensation.
Once the clouds become heavy with water droplets, precipitation occurs in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail, and water returns to the Earth's surface. This water then flows into bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and oceans, where it can be absorbed by plants, evaporate back into the atmosphere, or seep into the ground to become groundwater. The cycle repeats itself continuously, ensuring the availability of water for all living organisms on Earth.
