Final answer:
Energy from the sun drives the water cycle by causing evaporation, c. which turns liquid water into water vapor. The vapor then condenses to form clouds and falls as precipitation, replenishing fresh water on Earth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The energy from the sun significantly influences the water cycle through the process of evaporation. This process involves the sun heating up water in oceans, lakes, and rivers, c. causing the water to change from liquid to vapor, and rise into the atmosphere.
Once in the atmosphere, the water vapor cools and condenses to form clouds. Eventually, when the droplets within these clouds become heavy enough, they fall back to the Earth's surface as precipitation (rain or snow), completing the cycle.
This cyclical movement of water is essential for replenishing fresh water on land, maintaining the climate and ecosystems, and is integral to weather patterns. Furthermore, part of the precipitation may infiltrate the land surface and become groundwater, which also plays a crucial role in maintaining the water cycle by providing water to streams, rivers, and back into the oceans.