Final answer:
The water cycle, powered by the sun, is responsible for shaping the Earth's surface through processes like evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, which leads to erosion and influences weather patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
Water fundamentally shapes the Earth's surface through a process known as the water cycle, driven primarily by the energy from the sun. This cycle sees evaporation of water from Earth's surfaces into water vapor, which later condenses to form clouds and results in precipitation (like rain or snow), altering land formations and supporting various ecosystems. Particularly, surface runoff plays a critical role as it can cause erosion, transport sediments, and restructure the landscape over time. Additionally, water's unique property of being less dense in its solid form than in liquid allows ice to float, which is crucial in regulating climate and affecting aquatic life. Lastly, the high specific heat capacity of water influences weather patterns and storm intensity.