What is the process of water falling from clouds to the Earth called?

Correct answer: Precipitation

Direct answer: B, precipitation. After condensation produces cloud droplets or ice particles, they may become large or heavy enough to fall to Earth under gravity. Water falling from clouds as rain, snow, sleet or hail is called precipitation. Evaporation is liquid water changing into vapour, so A describes an earlier stage of the cycle. Infiltration is water entering the soil after reaching the ground, so C occurs at or below the land surface. Runoff is water flowing over the land surface toward streams, lakes or oceans, so D describes movement after water reaches the ground. Memory cue: precipitation means water comes down from clouds; infiltration goes into soil and runoff goes across land.