In which stage of the water cycle does water vapor condense into liquid?

Water vapor condensing into liquid occurs during the condensation stage of the water cycle. This process involves the cooling of water vapor in the atmosphere, which causes it to change from a gaseous state back into tiny liquid water droplets. This is a crucial part of the water cycle as it leads to cloud formation. When the droplets accumulate and grow larger, they can lead to precipitation, where the water falls back to the Earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Understanding condensation is essential for comprehending how weather patterns develop and how water is redistributed in the environment. The other stages mentioned, such as evaporation and precipitation, are distinct processes associated with different transformations of water in the cycle. For instance, evaporation refers to water turning into vapor, while runoff involves the movement of water across land after precipitation.