The Water Cycle

Evaporation

The Sun heats up water from water bodies and turns it into water vapor that rises into the air.

Transpiration

The Sun heats up water from plants and turns it into water vapor that rises into the air.

Condensation

Water vapor in the air cools down and turns back into liquid water — clouds form.

Precipitation

Water falls from the clouds to the ground as rain, snow, sleet, or hail — clouds leave what they’ve collected.

Infiltration

Water soaks into the ground and becomes part of the soil and underground water.

Run-off

Water that flows over the land and into rivers, lakes, or oceans because the ground can’t absorb it — extra water moves across Earth’s surface.