Final answer:
The water cycle consists of several processes: 'a' represents Precipitation, 'b' denotes Condensation, 'c' corresponds to Transpiration, and 'd' refers to Evaporation. Additionally, the cycle includes the process of runoff.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Water Cycle
Answering the student's question, each labeled arrow in the water cycle picture can be identified as follows:
a) Precipitation: Water falls to Earth's surface as rain, snow, hail, or other forms of moisture.
b) Condensation: Water vapor in the atmosphere cools and changes into liquid, forming clouds.
c) Transpiration: Water is absorbed by plant roots and then evaporated from plant leaves into the atmosphere.
d) Evaporation: Water changes from liquid to vapor and enters the atmosphere from oceans, lakes, and other surface waters, driven by the Sun's energy.
The water cycle also involves runoff, where precipitation that falls on land flows into streams, rivers, and eventually into the oceans.