What fundamental process describes the transformation of water vapor to liquid?

The transformation of water vapor to liquid is known as condensation. This process occurs when water vapor in the atmosphere cools and changes its state from a gas to a liquid. This typically happens when warm, moist air rises, cools to its dew point, and the water vapor begins to clump together to form tiny droplets, thus creating clouds.

Condensation is essential in the water cycle as it leads to cloud formation and is the precursor to precipitation when these droplets combine and become heavy enough to fall as rain or other forms of water. Understanding this process is crucial in meteorology, as it plays a significant role in weather patterns and the distribution of moisture in the atmosphere.

In contrast, evaporation refers to the process of liquid water turning into water vapor, while precipitation describes the process of water falling to the Earth in various forms. Transpiration concerns the release of water vapor from plants into the atmosphere, further highlighting the distinct nature of each process in the hydrological cycle.