What is the first step of the water cycle?

The first step of the water cycle is water evaporation. This process occurs when heat from the sun warms bodies of water, such as oceans, rivers, and lakes, causing water molecules to gain energy and change from liquid to gas (water vapor). This transformation is crucial because it initiates the cycle by allowing moisture to enter the atmosphere. Once in the air, this water vapor can eventually cool and condense to form clouds, leading to precipitation and continuing the cycle.

The other processes, such as condensation, circulation, and freezing, occur later in the water cycle. Condensation first occurs after evaporation when water vapor cools and forms droplets, while circulation refers to the movement of water through various parts of the cycle. Freezing is a process that occurs under specific conditions, typically when temperatures drop, which is not part of the initial step of the cycle. Thus, evaporation is recognized as the starting point in the continuous movement of water within the cycle.