Question

1. if water started in the river and ended in the clouds, what transition(s) would there be?
2. what would drive that/those transition(s)?
3. if water started in the clouds and ended in an ocean, what transition would have to happen?
4. what drives that transition?
5. if water started in the atmosphere and ended in a stream, what transition would have to happen?
6. if water started in a cloud and ended back up in a different cloud, what transition would have to happen?

Explanation:

Step1: Identify water - cycle transitions

For water moving from river to clouds, the transition is evaporation. Evaporation is the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas (water - vapor).

Step2: Determine the driving force for evaporation

The sun's heat drives evaporation. Solar energy provides the energy required for water molecules to gain enough kinetic energy to escape from the liquid phase and enter the gaseous phase.

Step3: Identify transition for water from clouds to ocean

The transition is precipitation. Precipitation occurs when water - vapor in the clouds condenses and falls to the Earth's surface as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Step4: Determine the driving force for precipitation

Gravity drives precipitation. As water - vapor condenses into larger droplets or ice crystals in the clouds, they become heavy enough and fall towards the Earth under the influence of gravity.

Step5: Identify transition for water from atmosphere to stream

The transition is also precipitation. Water in the atmosphere in the form of water - vapor condenses and falls as precipitation into a stream.

Step6: Identify transition for water from one cloud to another

The transition is cloud - to - cloud movement which is mainly due to advection. Advection is the horizontal movement of air (and water - vapor within the air) which can carry water - vapor from one cloud to another.

Answer:

1. Evaporation
2. Sun's heat
3. Precipitation
4. Gravity
5. Precipitation
6. Advection