In the water cycle, which process involves liquid water turning into water vapor?

• A. Evaporation
• B. Condensation
• C. Precipitation
• D. Infiltration

Answer: (A)

Liquid water turning into water vapor is evaporation. In the water cycle, heat from the sun warms surface water, and some of the molecules gain enough energy to break free from the liquid and enter the air as water vapor. This can happen at many temperatures, not just at boiling, and is helped by factors like wind and a larger surface area. It’s different from condensation (water vapor cooling and becoming liquid), precipitation (water falling to Earth as rain, snow, etc.), and infiltration (water seeping from the surface into the soil).