What is the name of the continuous process where water moves from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back again?

The term that describes the continuous process where water moves from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back again is known as the water cycle. This cycle encompasses various stages, including evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff, illustrating the movement of water in different forms. The process begins with evaporation, where water from oceans, lakes, and rivers turns into vapor and rises into the atmosphere. Once in the atmosphere, the water vapor cools and condenses into droplets, forming clouds. Eventually, this water returns to the surface as precipitation (rain, snow, etc.), completing the cycle.

While the hydrological cycle is a broader term encompassing the same process, calling it the water cycle is more common and widely recognized in educational contexts. The other options, like evaporation cycle and condensation cycle, refer to specific stages of the overall process rather than the complete cycle itself.