What is the round trip process involving evaporation, condensation, and precipitation called?

The process that describes the continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation is known as the hydrologic cycle. This cycle begins when water from oceans, rivers, and lakes evaporates due to heat from the sun, turning into water vapor. As this vapor rises, it cools and condenses to form clouds, which eventually leads to precipitation in the form of rain or snow that falls back to the Earth's surface. This water can then flow back into bodies of water or infiltrate into the soil. The hydrologic cycle is fundamental to Earth's climate system and supports all forms of life as it redistributes water across the planet.

The other terms do not accurately describe this process. The precipitation cycle is a part of the hydrologic cycle, but it is not an all-encompassing term. The hydrogen cycle refers to the movement of hydrogen atoms through different chemical forms, and the oxygen cycle describes the movement of oxygen through the environment, including its release and consumption by living organisms. Therefore, the choice of "hydrologic cycle" accurately encapsulates the entire round trip of water through its various states.