ELI5: how does the water cycle work

What is the water cycle?

The water cycle is nature's way of recycling water around Earth [1][2]. The sun heats up water in oceans, lakes, and rivers, turning it into invisible water vapor that floats up into the air [1][3]. Think of it like when a puddle disappears on a sunny day—the water doesn't vanish, it just changes into vapor and goes up into the sky [5].

Why does water go up into the air?

The sun's energy is like a giant heat source that gives water molecules enough power to escape from liquid form and become vapor [1][4]. Even though water normally boils at 100°C, individual water molecules can get energized by the sun's rays and float up one by one, even when it's much cooler [4].

What happens to the water vapor?

As the water vapor rises high into the sky where it's colder, it changes back into liquid water droplets that form clouds [3]. When enough droplets collect together, they become heavy and fall back to Earth as rain or snow [2].

How does the cycle repeat?

The water that falls as rain flows into rivers, lakes, and oceans, where the sun heats it up again and the whole cycle starts over [2][3]. It's like a never-ending circle that keeps Earth's water moving and clean.