Which processes are key components of the water cycle?

The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle, consists of several processes that are integral to the movement of water within the Earth and atmosphere. The key components of this cycle include evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and infiltration.

Evaporation is the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas, entering the atmosphere from bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. This gaseous water vapor rises into the air, where it cools and undergoes condensation, transforming back into liquid water droplets that form clouds. Eventually, when these droplets coalesce and grow heavy enough, they fall back to the Earth's surface as precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, or hail).

Infiltration is the process where water seeps into the ground and becomes part of the groundwater system, replenishing aquifers and affecting soil moisture. This cycle of water continuously circulates, demonstrating the interconnectedness of these processes in maintaining the Earth’s ecosystem.

The inclusion of these four specific processes captures the essence of the water cycle, making this choice the correct answer. The other options do contain relevant processes but do not fully encompass the essential elements required to define the water cycle comprehensively.