The water cycle is a natural process that describes how water evaporates from the surface of the earth, rises into the atmosphere, cools and condenses into clouds, and falls back to the surface as precipitation. The water cycle is also known as the hydrological cycle. The different stages of the water cycle are:

• Evaporation: This is the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapor and rises into the atmosphere.

• Condensation: This is the process by which water vapor in the atmosphere cools and changes back into liquid form, forming clouds.

• Precipitation: This is the process by which water falls from the atmosphere to the surface of the earth in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

• Collection: This is the process by which water that falls to the surface of the earth collects in rivers, lakes, oceans, and other bodies of water, where it can evaporate and begin the cycle again.

The water cycle is important because it helps to maintain the balance of the earths ecosystems and ensures the availability of water for all living organisms, including plants and animals.