Which term describes the continuous movement of water on Earth driven by the sun?

Which term describes the continuous movement of water on Earth driven by the sun?

• A. The Water Cycle
• B. Condensation
• C. Precipitation
• D. Weather

Answer: (A)

The continuous movement of water on Earth driven by the sun is described by the water cycle. Energy from the sun heats water in oceans, rivers, and soils, causing evaporation and, from plants, transpiration. Water vapor rises into the atmosphere, cools, and condenses into clouds. Gravity then brings water back to Earth as precipitation such as rain or snow. From there, water flows over the surface (runoff), soaks into the ground (infiltration), or returns to bodies of water, continuing the loop. This cycle links oceans, air, land, and living beings and describes the whole system of moving and transforming Earth’s water. Condensation is one step in the cycle, the phase change from vapor to liquid. Precipitation is another step, the return of water to the surface as rain, snow, etc. Weather refers to the short-term atmospheric conditions in a given place and time, not the ongoing movement of water itself.

The continuous movement of water on Earth driven by the sun is described by the water cycle. Energy from the sun heats water in oceans, rivers, and soils, causing evaporation and, from plants, transpiration. Water vapor rises into the atmosphere, cools, and condenses into clouds. Gravity then brings water back to Earth as precipitation such as rain or snow. From there, water flows over the surface (runoff), soaks into the ground (infiltration), or returns to bodies of water, continuing the loop. This cycle links oceans, air, land, and living beings and describes the whole system of moving and transforming Earth’s water.

Condensation is one step in the cycle, the phase change from vapor to liquid. Precipitation is another step, the return of water to the surface as rain, snow, etc. Weather refers to the short-term atmospheric conditions in a given place and time, not the ongoing movement of water itself.