In the water cycle, which process leads to cloud formation by water vapor becoming liquid?

• A. Evaporation.
• B. Precipitation.
• C. Condensation.
• D. Runoff.

Answer: (C)

Condensation is the process where water vapor in the air cools and changes into liquid droplets, which leads to cloud formation. As air rises and cools, its capacity to hold water vapor decreases; when it reaches the dew point, the vapor condenses onto tiny particles in the atmosphere, forming the droplets that make up clouds. Evaporation is the opposite—liquid water turning into vapor. Precipitation is when those droplets become heavy enough to fall as rain or snow. Runoff describes water flowing over the surface after rain. So condensation directly turns vapor into liquid and creates clouds.