Question

Put the following steps of the water cycle in the correct order.

1. molecules gain energy; move faster, and rise as water vapor
2. gravity pulls the water molecules back to Earth in the form of rain, snow; sleet or hail depending on the temperatures
3. sun heats surface of water
4. precipitation runs off into bodies of water or seeps into the ground to become groundwater
5. molecules transfer energy to the surrounding area and begin to slow down turning back into droplets that adhere to dust particles to form a cloud

Answer 1

The correct order of the water cycle begins with the Sun heating water surfaces, evaporation and sublimation, cloud formation through condensation, precipitation due to gravity, and ends with the runoff or infiltration of water into groundwater.

Step-by-step explanation:

To put the steps of the water cycle in the correct order, we must understand the process which begins with the heating of water by the Sun's energy. The steps should follow this sequence:

1. The sun heats the surface of water, causing liquid water to gain energy and evaporate or for ice to sublimate into water vapor.
2. Molecules gain energy, move faster, and rise as water vapor.
3. Molecules transfer energy to the surrounding area and begin to slow down, turning back into droplets that adhere to dust particles to form a cloud.
4. Gravity pulls the water molecules back to Earth in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail, depending on the temperatures. This process is known as precipitation.
5. Precipitation runs off into bodies of water or seeps into the ground to become groundwater.