The first step of the water cycle is evaporation, which is caused by the heat of the sun warming up the surface of bodies of water such as lakes water vapors rise into the air. The second step is condensation, water, which rises into the air condenses into clouds. This is caused by water particles sticking to dust particles or other clumps of matter which are also free floating in the air. Eventually there is too much water condensing in the air gravity dictates it falls hence the next step. Precipitation which is when it rains. After precipitation you have collection which is when water runs off land back into bodies of water, or it becomes ground water. Which is when the water seeps into the soil where it’s utilized by plants and trees.