Explain evaporation in the water cycle

Evaporation is the fundamental process that drives the water cycle, moving water from the Earth's surface into the atmosphere.

Here is the explanation:

1. Solar Energy: The sun's heat provides the energy for evaporation. It warms the surface of large bodies of water like oceans, lakes, and rivers, as well as moisture in the soil and on plants (transpiration).
2. Phase Change: This solar energy causes the water molecules at the surface to gain enough kinetic energy to change from a liquid state to a gaseous state, known as water vapor.
3. Lifting: Because water vapor is lighter than the surrounding air, it rises up into the atmosphere.
4. Condensation: As this water vapor rises, it cools. Eventually, it cools enough to condense back into tiny liquid water droplets or ice crystals, forming clouds.
5. Precipitation: When these droplets or crystals in the clouds become large and heavy enough, they fall back to the Earth's surface as precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, or hail), and the cycle begins again.

In short, evaporation is the "vehicle" that transports water from the ground and oceans into the sky, allowing it to be redistributed across the planet.