Answer
The hydrologic cycle, also known as the water cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on Earth. It begins with the evaporation of water from the surface of oceans, lakes, and rivers, aided by solar energy. The water vapor rises into the atmosphere, where it cools and condenses to form clouds. These clouds can then produce precipitation in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail, which falls back to the Earth's surface. Once on land, the water can take several paths. It may infiltrate the soil and become groundwater, which can later be discharged into streams, rivers, or lakes.
Some water may directly flow over the land surface as runoff, eventually reaching water bodies. Additionally, plants absorb water from the soil through their roots, and a portion of this water is released back into the atmosphere through transpiration. This completes the cycle, as the water returns to the atmosphere for evaporation once again.
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