AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -What are the major 4 steps in the water cycle? The major 4 steps are evaporation of water, then condensation, precipitation and collection. The sun evaporates water sources and contributes to the formation of water vapor.

Detailed explanation-2: -Rivers and lakes are results of runoff. There is some evaporation from runoff into the atmosphere but for the most part water in rivers and lakes returns to the oceans.

Detailed explanation-3: -This is called condensation. Precipitation occurs when so much water has condensed that the air cannot hold it anymore. The clouds get heavy and water falls back to the earth in the form of rain, hail, sleet or snow.

Detailed explanation-4: -Runoff is nothing more than water “running off” the land surface. Just as the water you wash your car with runs off down the driveway as you work, the rain that Mother Nature covers the landscape with runs off downhill, too (due to gravity). Runoff is an important component of the natural water cycle.

Detailed explanation-5: -The seven stages of the water cycle in order are as follows: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, sublimation, transpiration, runoff, and infiltration.