In which step of the water cycle does water vapor rise and cool?

The correct answer addresses the step in the water cycle where water vapor rises and cools, which occurs during the process of condensation. As warm air containing water vapor rises, it encounters cooler temperatures at higher altitudes. This cooling causes the water vapor to change from a gaseous state to a liquid state, forming clouds. This transformation is crucial for the water cycle, enabling precipitation to occur later. Understanding this process highlights the importance of temperature and altitude in the movement and transformation of water in our environment. The other steps in the water cycle include different processes that do not specifically focus on the cooling and condensation of vapor.