Solar radiation heats the Earth's surface, causing water to evaporate and initiating the water cycle.

Evaporation is the process by which liquid water changes into water vapor and enters the atmosphere.

Precipitation includes rain, snow, sleet, and hail, all forms of water falling from the atmosphere.

Infiltration is the process by which water enters the soil and becomes groundwater.

Runoff is the flow of water over the land surface, resulting from precipitation that does not infiltrate or evaporate.

Transpiration is the process by which plants release water vapor into the atmosphere through their leaves.

An aquifer is a geological formation that can store and transmit water.

The water table is the upper boundary of the saturated zone in an aquifer, where the pressure is atmospheric.

The groundwater recharge zone is the area where water infiltrates the ground and replenishes an aquifer.

A confined aquifer is an aquifer bounded by impermeable layers, preventing vertical water movement.

Groundwater withdrawal is the process of removing water from the ground for various purposes, such as drinking, irrigation, and industrial use.

Percolation is the movement of water through soil or rock due to gravity.

Condensation is the process of converting water vapor into liquid water in the atmosphere.

Sublimation is the direct conversion of ice or snow into water vapor without passing through the liquid phase.

Aquifer storage is the total amount of water stored in an aquifer.