Final answer:
The water cycle is a biogeochemical cycle that involves the continuous movement of water on, above, and below Earth's surface. It includes processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and transpiration. Water moves between different reservoirs and exists as a liquid, solid, or gas in different parts of the cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle, is a biogeochemical cycle that describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below Earth's surface. It involves several physical processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and transpiration. Water moves from one exchange pool or reservoir to another, existing as a liquid, solid, or gas in different parts of the cycle.
For example, water enters the atmosphere through evaporation and transpiration, and then returns to land as precipitation. Water can also be stored underground and in the oceans, lakes, snow, and clouds. This constant recycling of water allows it to be available for living organisms and biochemical reactions in ecosystems.