Which term is not listed among the major processes of the water cycle in the description?

Which term is not listed among the major processes of the water cycle in the description?

• A. Evaporation
• B. Transpiration
• C. Condensation
• D. Sublimation

Answer: (D)

The water cycle is usually described using three main processes: evaporation from bodies of water, water vapor released by plants (transpiration), and the cooling of that vapor into liquid droplets (condensation). Sublimation, which is solid ice turning directly into water vapor, happens under very specific, often extreme conditions (like exposed, dry, sunlit ice or snow) and isn’t typically listed as a major process in basic descriptions. Because it bypasses the liquid phase and occurs less commonly in the everyday cycle, sublimation isn’t included among the major processes. So sublimation is the term that isn’t listed.

The water cycle is usually described using three main processes: evaporation from bodies of water, water vapor released by plants (transpiration), and the cooling of that vapor into liquid droplets (condensation). Sublimation, which is solid ice turning directly into water vapor, happens under very specific, often extreme conditions (like exposed, dry, sunlit ice or snow) and isn’t typically listed as a major process in basic descriptions. Because it bypasses the liquid phase and occurs less commonly in the everyday cycle, sublimation isn’t included among the major processes. So sublimation is the term that isn’t listed.