What are the main processes involved in the hydrologic cycle?

The hydrologic cycle, also known as the water cycle, is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. The cycle involves several processes that work together to move water around the planet. The main processes involved in the hydrologic cycle are:

• Evaporation: This is the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapor. Water is evaporated from the surface of oceans, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water due to the heat from the sun.
• Transpiration: This is the process by which water is released into the atmosphere by plants. Water is taken up by plant roots, transported through the plant, and released into the atmosphere through small pores in the leaves.
• Condensation: This is the process by which water vapor in the atmosphere changes back into a liquid. Condensation occurs when the temperature drops and the amount of water vapor in the air exceeds the amount that the air can hold.
• Precipitation: This is the process by which water falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Precipitation occurs when the amount of water vapor in the air becomes too great for the air to hold, and the excess water falls back to the Earth's surface.
• Runoff: This is the process by which water flows over the surface of the Earth and collects in rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. Runoff occurs when the amount of precipitation exceeds the ability of the ground to absorb it.
• Infiltration: This is the process by which water seeps into the ground and becomes groundwater. Infiltration occurs when the ground is not saturated and the water is able to seep through the soil and rock layers.