A diagram illustrating the natural process of the water cycle

The provided diagram illustrates the various stages of the water cycle, a continuous natural process that circulates water between the Earth's surface and the atmosphere. Overall, the cycle is primarily driven by solar energy, which facilitates the movement of water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation across different geographical features.

The process begins when the sun's heat causes water to evaporate from the sea, turning it into invisible water vapour that rises into the atmosphere. As this vapour cools, it forms clouds, which are then transported over land by wind. Once these clouds cool further, precipitation occurs in the form of rain. Simultaneously, water is also released into the atmosphere through transpiration from plants and trees, as well as evaporation from inland lakes and rivers.

Once the rain falls onto the land, the water follows several paths. Some of it is carried downstream by rivers, eventually returning to the sea. Other portions of the water infiltrate the ground, moving through porous rock as ground water, which ultimately feeds back into lakes, rivers, and the sea. This cyclical movement ensures that water is constantly redistributed across the planet's surface.