Which one of the following is the correct sequence of the four stages of water movement in a hydrological cycle ?

The hydrological cycle is a continuous process of water movement between the Earth's surface and the atmosphere. The correct sequence begins with evaporation, where solar energy heats water bodies, transforming liquid water into water vapor [c4, t2]. This vapor rises and undergoes condensation as it cools, forming clouds [c2, c5]. Once the atmosphere reaches saturation, moisture is released as precipitation (rain, snow, or hail) [c2, t2]. Finally, water that reaches the land surface enters the soil through infiltration, replenishing groundwater and soil moisture [t3, t7]. While the cycle is continuous and stages can overlap, this sequence (Evaporation-Condensation-Precipitation-Infiltration) represents the logical progression of a water molecule moving from a surface source, through the atmosphere, and back into the terrestrial subsurface [t4, t8].

Sources

1. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 24: Hydrological Cycle (Water Cycle) > 24. Hydrological Cycle (Water Cycle) > p. 325
2. [2] Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 7: Heat Transfer in Nature > 7.4 Water Cycle > p. 98
3. [3] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 24: Hydrological Cycle (Water Cycle) > 24.3. Condensation > p. 329
4. [4] https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/hydrologic-cycle/
5. [5] https://gpm.nasa.gov/education/articles/nasa-earth-science-water-cycle