Which term is used to refer to the cycle of water movement through the atmosphere, land, and oceans?

Which term is used to refer to the cycle of water movement through the atmosphere, land, and oceans?

• A. Water cycle
• B. Hydrological cycle
• C. Geological cycle
• D. Biogeochemical cycle

Answer: (A)

The movement of water through the atmosphere, land, and oceans is described by the water cycle. Sunlight drives evaporation from oceans and other surfaces, water rises as vapor, condenses into clouds, and returns as precipitation. Water then infiltrates the soil, feeds groundwater, or runs off into rivers and lakes, eventually returning to the oceans. This continuous looping of water through different parts of the Earth is most commonly called the water cycle, though in scientific contexts you’ll also see it referred to as the hydrological cycle. The other options describe different cycles: the geological cycle deals with rocks and Earth's crust, and biogeochemical cycles track elements like carbon and nitrogen through living things and the environment.

The movement of water through the atmosphere, land, and oceans is described by the water cycle. Sunlight drives evaporation from oceans and other surfaces, water rises as vapor, condenses into clouds, and returns as precipitation. Water then infiltrates the soil, feeds groundwater, or runs off into rivers and lakes, eventually returning to the oceans. This continuous looping of water through different parts of the Earth is most commonly called the water cycle, though in scientific contexts you’ll also see it referred to as the hydrological cycle. The other options describe different cycles: the geological cycle deals with rocks and Earth's crust, and biogeochemical cycles track elements like carbon and nitrogen through living things and the environment.