Which process in the water cycle involves water changing from liquid to vapor and rising?

Which process in the water cycle involves water changing from liquid to vapor and rising?

• A. Condensation
• B. Respiration
• C. Evaporation
• D. Precipitation

Answer: (C)

Evaporation is the process where heat energy makes liquid water transform into water vapor and rise into the air. When the sun heats bodies of water—oceans, lakes, or damp soil—surface molecules gain enough energy to break free from the liquid and enter the atmosphere as vapor. This vapor is lighter than surrounding air, so it tends to rise and be carried upward by air currents. In the water cycle, evaporation is how liquid water leaves surfaces and becomes atmospheric water vapor, with plants contributing a related idea through evapotranspiration, where water is released from both soil and leaves as vapor. Condensation is the change from gas back to liquid, which leads to cloud formation. Precipitation is water returning to Earth's surface as rain, snow, or hail. Respiration releases water vapor from organisms but isn’t the primary mechanism by which liquid water moves into the atmosphere in the water cycle.

Evaporation is the process where heat energy makes liquid water transform into water vapor and rise into the air. When the sun heats bodies of water—oceans, lakes, or damp soil—surface molecules gain enough energy to break free from the liquid and enter the atmosphere as vapor. This vapor is lighter than surrounding air, so it tends to rise and be carried upward by air currents. In the water cycle, evaporation is how liquid water leaves surfaces and becomes atmospheric water vapor, with plants contributing a related idea through evapotranspiration, where water is released from both soil and leaves as vapor.

Condensation is the change from gas back to liquid, which leads to cloud formation. Precipitation is water returning to Earth's surface as rain, snow, or hail. Respiration releases water vapor from organisms but isn’t the primary mechanism by which liquid water moves into the atmosphere in the water cycle.