Explain the Water Cycle in Detail

 

The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle, is the continuous process by which water moves through the Earth and its atmosphere. It plays a crucial role in maintaining life on Earth by circulating water between the oceans, land, and air. The water cycle ensures the availability of fresh water for plants, animals, and humans.

1. Evaporation

Evaporation is the first step of the water cycle. When the sun heats up water in rivers, lakes, oceans, and other water bodies, the water changes into water vapor (a gas). This vapor rises into the air. Evaporation also occurs from the surface of plants and soil.

• Keyword Note: Water evaporates due to solar heat.
• Example: Water from the sea turning into vapor on a hot day.

2. Transpiration

Transpiration is the process by which plants lose water vapor from their leaves into the atmosphere. It is similar to evaporation, but it happens in living plants. Together, evaporation and transpiration are sometimes called evapotranspiration.

• This step helps add more moisture to the air.
• Plants “breathe out” water in the form of vapor.

3. Condensation

As water vapor rises and cools in the upper atmosphere, it turns back into tiny droplets of water. These droplets come together to form clouds. This change of water vapor into liquid is called condensation.

• This is the reason clouds appear white and fluffy.
• Cooler air helps the vapor change into water droplets.

4. Precipitation

When the clouds become heavy with water droplets, the water falls back to the Earth in the form of precipitation. This includes rain, snow, hail, or sleet, depending on the temperature.

• Rain is the most common form of precipitation.
• Precipitation helps refill rivers, lakes, and ponds.

5. Collection (or Runoff and Infiltration)

After precipitation, the water either:

• Runs off over the surface and flows into rivers, lakes, or oceans, or
• Soaks into the ground and becomes groundwater through infiltration.

This collected water again becomes part of water bodies and is available for the next cycle of evaporation.

• Some of the groundwater is used by plants.
• Some of it is stored underground in aquifers.