🔹 What is the Water Cycle?

The water cycle is the continuous movement of water between the Earth’s surface and the atmosphere.

👉 It involves processes like evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

🔹 Main Processes of the Water Cycle

1. 🌞 Evaporation

• Conversion of water into water vapor due to heat from the sun
• Occurs mainly from oceans, rivers, lakes

👉 Also includes transpiration (water loss from plants)
Together called Evapotranspiration

2. ☁️ Condensation

• Water vapor cools and changes into tiny water droplets
• Forms clouds

3. 🌧️ Precipitation

• Water falls back to Earth as:
  • Rain
  • Snow
  • Hail

4. 💦 Runoff

• Water flows over land into rivers, lakes, and oceans

5. 🌍 Infiltration

• Water seeps into the soil and becomes groundwater

🔹 Water Cycle Process (Flow)

👉 Sun heats water → Evaporation → Condensation → Cloud formation → Precipitation → Runoff/Infiltration → Back to oceans

🔹 Types of Water Cycle

1. Short Cycle

• Water evaporates from ocean → falls back into ocean

2. Long Cycle

• Water evaporates → falls on land → flows back to ocean

🔹 Importance of Water Cycle

• Maintains water balance on Earth
• Supports life (plants, animals, humans)
• Helps in climate regulation
• Recharges groundwater
• Purifies water naturally

🔹 Factors Affecting Water Cycle

• Temperature
• Wind
• Vegetation
• Topography
• Human activities (deforestation, urbanization)

🔹 Human Impact on Water Cycle

• Deforestation → reduces transpiration
• Urbanization → reduces infiltration
• Pollution → affects water quality
• Climate change → alters rainfall patterns

🔹 Related Concept

• Hydrological Cycle

🔁 Simple Diagram (Text Form)

Sun ☀️
↓
Evaporation 🌊
↓
Condensation ☁️
↓
Precipitation 🌧️
↓
Runoff / Infiltration 💧
↓
Back to Ocean 🌍

• The water cycle is a continuous and essential natural process.
• It connects atmosphere, land, and oceans.
• Without it, life on Earth would not be possible.