What energy keeps the water cycle going?

Question

Responses

The sun’s energy heats the earth’s surface causing water to heat and evaporate.
The sun’s energy heats the earth’s surface causing water to heat and evaporate.

The wind’s energy blows the clouds around the earth’s atmosphere and causes the water cycle.
The wind’s energy blows the clouds around the earth’s atmosphere and causes the water cycle.

The air’s energy cools water vapor, condensation occurs, and precipitation falls.
The air’s energy cools water vapor, condensation occurs, and precipitation falls.

Evaporation powers the water cycle because the vapor rises up to the clouds and condenses.

Answer 1

The primary energy source that keeps the water cycle going is the sun’s energy, which heats the Earth’s surface and causes water to evaporate. This energy initiates the cycle by turning liquid water into vapor, allowing it to rise into the atmosphere.

While wind plays a role by moving clouds around, it's not the main driving force of the cycle. The cooling of air leading to condensation and precipitation is also a crucial part of the process, but ultimately, it is solar energy that drives evaporation, which is essential for the water cycle.

So the most accurate response is: The sun’s energy heats the earth’s surface causing water to heat and evaporate.