What triggers the process of the water cycle?

The process of the water cycle is primarily triggered by the energy from the sun. The sun provides the necessary heat that causes water in oceans, rivers, and lakes to evaporate into water vapor. This vapor rises into the atmosphere, where it cools and condenses to form clouds. Eventually, this moisture falls back to the Earth's surface as precipitation, completing the cycle.

The energy from the sun is crucial not only for evaporation but also for the subsequent processes like condensation and precipitation. Without this solar energy, the water cycle would not function effectively, as there would be minimal evaporation to initiate the cycle.

Other factors, such as the gravitational pull of the moon, primarily affect ocean tides, and while the cooling of the Earth's surface can influence local weather patterns, it is not the primary driver of the water cycle itself. Similarly, the evaporation of soil moisture is a part of the cycle but is not the initial trigger; it results from the broader process initiated by the sun’s energy.