The water cycle is a natural process that involves the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth’s surface. The water cycle has four main stages, which are:<div>
</div><div>1. Evaporation: This is the process by which water from oceans, lakes, and rivers is heated by the sun and turns into water vapor, which rises up into the atmosphere. This stage is also known as the “water-to-air” stage.</div><div>
</div><div>2. Condensation: This is the process by which water vapor in the atmosphere cools down and turns back into liquid form, forming clouds. This stage is also known as the “air-to-water” stage.</div><div>
</div><div>3. Precipitation: This is the process by which water droplets in the clouds become heavy and fall back to the Earth’s surface in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. This stage is also known as the “cloud-to-ground” stage.</div><div>
</div><div>4. Collection: This is the process by which water runs off the land into rivers, lakes, and oceans, where it can be reused in the water cycle. This stage is also known as the “runoff” stage.</div><div>
</div><div>In addition to these four main stages, there are two other processes that are also part of the water cycle:</div><div>
</div><div>5. Infiltration: This is the process by which water seeps into the ground and replenishes underground water sources, such as aquifers.</div><div>
</div><div>6. Transpiration: This is the process by which plants absorb water through their roots and release water vapor through small pores in their leaves, which contributes to the water vapor in the atmosphere.</div><div>
</div><div>Overall, the water cycle is a critical process that helps regulate the Earth’s temperature, distributes freshwater, and supports various forms of life on the planet.</div>