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Water is recycled again and again in the water cycle. Water accumulates, or gathers in lakes and oceans. When water reaches its
vapor point it evaporates into the air. This gas travels upward until it reaches a cold thermal layer above the earth. The temperature of
this air causes the warm gaseous water to cool and become liquid. This process is called condensation. Clouds are the result of
condensation. As more water vapor condenses at the cold thermal layer, the water particles become large and heavy. These water
molecules eventually fall out of the sky as rain, snow, hail, and sleet.
This is called precipitation.

Diagram of the Water Cycle

1. Water vapor falls to the Earth as rain, sleet, or hail

2. Water runs off the land into the rivers and lakes.

3. Water, through wind and heat, vaporizes toward the sky

4. The droplets collect as clouds and become heavy and thick