Condensation Water vapour (steam) in the atmosphere will
condense (return to liquid form), and become a cloud. Before condensation is evaporation, after condensation is precipitation.
Precipitation When the water droplets in clouds become
large and heavy, they fall from the cloud in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
Runoff When the precipitation reaches the ground, it
will begin to travel down hill. As it does this, it will be absorbed into the soil, and will move through rock, into the ground (becomes groundwater). If the soil is saturated, it cannot take any more water, the water will run into a lake, river, stream, or ocean.
Groundwater When water is absorbed into the soil, it will
move through bedrock and become trapped there. It can be accessed through a well for drinking water.
Evaporation Bodies of water are heated by the sun, and
will become water vapour (steam), and enter the atmosphere.