Answer
The correct order of water cycle process starting from the moment the sun transfers its energy is;
i.The Sun shines. Heat from the sun causes the water in large water bodies and ponds to evaporate into the atmosphere in form of water vapor. This invisible gas formed rises into the atmosphere as an important greenhouse gas. Evaporation can be influenced by wind, temperature and body of water density.
ii.Water vapor condenses into liquid water to form clouds. The water vapor which is in form of liquid water condenses when it reaches higher levels of the atmosphere to become a liquid. At higher levels, clouds form when they become condensed. The water vapor settles to condense around tiny particles namely cloud condensation nuclei.
iii.Precipitation in form of rain or snow. Precipitation is the falling of liquid or solid water into the earth surface as rain, hail or snow. At this stage, rain water collects into the water bodies and ponds. Runoffs that occur during the rain period will also collect in the depressions on the surface of the earth.
iv.Water collection. The precipitation in form of rain will fill the rivers, lakes and ocean to increase the amount of water stored in these water bodies. Snow melt can occurs at this stage to increase the runoffs produced in cases where the precipitation was received as snow. Glaciers can melt to produce streams and fill ponds with water. Heat from the sun will cause the collected water to undergo Evaporation to repeat the water cycle process.
