After evaporation, the next step in the water cycle is condensation.
Understanding the Water Cycle
The water cycle is a continuous process where water moves from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back again. Evaporation is the process where liquid water transforms into water vapor (a gas), rising into the atmosphere. This is driven by the sun's energy. USGS
Once in the atmosphere, the water vapor cools and condenses. Condensation is the process where water vapor changes back into liquid water. This happens because the water vapor molecules lose energy and clump together to form tiny water droplets or ice crystals. These droplets or crystals then accumulate to form clouds. NOAA Study.com
The Role of Condensation
Condensation is a critical step because it forms the clouds that eventually lead to precipitation. Without condensation, the evaporated water would remain as vapor in the atmosphere, disrupting the water cycle’s balance.
Further Steps
After condensation and cloud formation, precipitation occurs—rain, snow, sleet, or hail falls back to Earth, completing a cycle. City of Evansville The precipitated water then flows into rivers, lakes, and oceans, eventually evaporating again to continue the cycle. Britannica NASA
In summary: Evaporation is the initial phase, followed by condensation, then precipitation. The process is cyclical and continuous, driven by the sun's energy.
