Which cycle describes how water moves through the Earth and atmosphere?

The water cycle, often referred to as the hydrological cycle, clearly illustrates the continuous movement of water within the Earth and atmosphere. This cycle encompasses various processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff, showing how water transitions between liquid, vapor, and solid states.

Water evaporates from oceans, lakes, and rivers, taking the form of vapor into the atmosphere. As it rises and cools, it condenses into clouds, eventually leading to precipitation in the form of rain or snow, which returns the water back to the Earth’s surface. This water then travels via rivers and streams or penetrates the ground to replenish aquifers, where it can later evaporate again, continuing the cycle.

Other cycles mentioned in the choices, such as the rock cycle, carbon cycle, and nitrogen cycle, each describe the movement and transformation of different materials—rocks, carbon compounds, and nitrogen compounds respectively—but do not specifically encompass the processes of water movement through the environment like the water cycle does.