Water Cycle

The water cycle is the continuous process by which water moves from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back again. Liquid water evaporates into water vapor, condenses to form clouds, and precipitates back to earth in the form of rain and snow.

Clouds

Clouds play a vital role in the water cycle as they are formed through condensation of water vapor in the atmosphere. They act as a storehouse for water and help in distributing it across different regions through precipitation.

Condensation

This stage involves the transformation of water vapor into liquid water. This occurs when water vapor in the atmosphere cools and forms clouds.

Evaporation

This is the process by which water is transformed from a liquid state to a gaseous state. It occurs when the sun heats up water bodies like oceans, lakes, and rivers, causing the water to turn into water vapor and rise up into the atmosphere.

Precipitation

This is the stage where water returns to the Earth's surface in the form of rain, snow, hail, or sleet. This occurs when clouds become heavy with water droplets and fall to the ground due to the force of gravity.

Runoff

This stage occurs when precipitation is not absorbed by the ground and instead flows over the surface of the land, usually into streams, rivers, and eventually into the oceans.

Infiltration

Infiltration is the process by which water seeps into the soil and rocks, recharging groundwater. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the water balance of an ecosystem. The rate of infiltration is affected by factors like soil type, vegetation cover, and intensity of rainfall.