TeXes Science Practice Test

In the hydrologic cycle, what phase follows ocean storage?

1. Condensation

2. Evaporation

3. Precipitation

4. Transpiration

The correct answer is: Evaporation

In the hydrologic cycle, the phase that follows ocean storage is evaporation. This process occurs when the sun's energy heats the surface of the ocean, causing water to change from a liquid state to a vapor state. As water evaporates, it enters the atmosphere and contributes to cloud formation. This is a critical part of the cycle, as it allows water to move from the oceans, which hold the majority of Earth’s water, into the atmosphere, where it can later condense to form precipitation. Understanding this is essential for grasping how water circulates through different parts of the Earth system.