Question

which sequence of processes transports water from the atmosphere to the ocean and then back into a cloud?
○ precipitation ⓡ condensation ⓡ transpiration
○ evaporation ⓡ condensation ⓡ sublimation
○ precipitation ⓡ evaporation ⓡ condensation
○ evaporation ⓡ precipitation ⓡ condensation

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the water cycle processes:

1. First, water from the atmosphere to the ocean: Precipitation (rain, snow, etc.) delivers atmospheric water to the ocean.
2. Then, water from the ocean back to a cloud: Evaporation (liquid water to vapor) from the ocean, then Condensation (vapor to liquid droplets in clouds).

Now check the options:

• Option 1: Transpiration is plant water loss, not ocean - cloud. Eliminate.
• Option 2: Sublimation is solid to gas, not ocean - cloud. Eliminate.
• Option 3: Precipitation (atmosphere to ocean) → Evaporation (ocean to vapor) → Condensation (vapor to cloud). Matches.
• Option 4: Evaporation first would be ocean to vapor, but the first step should be atmosphere to ocean (precipitation), not evaporation. Eliminate.

Answer:

C. precipitation ® evaporation ® condensation (assuming the third option is labeled C; if the original options had labels like A, B, C, D, the correct one is the third option with precipitation, evaporation, condensation)