There is no original beginning nor an ending for this process, I will be starting with precipitation. Precipitation is rain, snow, sleet or hail that falls to or condenses on the ground. In New Zealand, the most common form of precipitation is rain and snow.
After precipitation, accumulation takes place. Accumulation is the process of water gathering in a body of water. This can be as large as the ocean or as a small puddle. Without accumulation, we wouldn’t have any oceans, rivers or lakes.
Evaporation is the third part of this process. This is when water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapor. Once water has accumulated, heat from the sun evaporates the water into vapor. Water vapor can be seen on your window as a result of the rain. Evaporation is the main movement of water through our hydrosphere as it returns from liquid form to atmospheric water vapor.
Condensation is when water vapor collects to form clouds. Condensation is the movement of water vapor changing into liquid water, basically the opposite of evaporation. The clouds will then continue to get heavier and heavier until it bursts, releasing as precipitation. Condensation is essential in the water cycle as it is responsible for the formation of clouds.
This is the key element of the water cycle, but there is also transpiration, the process of water going into plants. This process involves water from the rain being absorbed by plants through their roots, stems and leaves. When water is exhaled by plants, it leaves in water vapor adding building up the condensation in the clouds and returns as precipitation.
Another part of the cycle is Sublimation. It’s when the clouds not only produce water but also release what we know as Hale, Ice or Snow.
That is the complete order of the water cycle. Precipitation, Accumulation, Water-vapor, Evaporation, Condensation, Transpiration, Sublimation.
