The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth. The 4 major steps are evaporation of water, condensation, precipitation and collection. The sun evaporates water sources and contributes to the formation of water vapour. This water vapour accumulates in the atmosphere as clouds. The vapours condense into water droplets and when enough droplets merge, it falls out of the clouds as rain.