Human: I'm doing a science project on the water cycle. What are the main steps in the water cycle? Assistant: 
The main steps in the water cycle are evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection. Evaporation occurs when water is heated, it rises in the atmosphere and becomes vapor. Condensation is when the vapor molecules come together and form clouds. Precipitation is when the clouds release the water back to the Earth's surface as rain, snow or hail. Collection is where the water is stored in oceans, rivers and lakes.