The water cycle has three different stages. The three stages are Evaporation, condensation, and precipitation in that order. Evaporation is where any liquid evaporates from the ground and in to the air the energy comes from the sun to allow the liquid turn to a gas, also it is possible for a solid turn straight to a gas, for example snow turning into a gas this is called sublimation when a solid turns straight to a gas.  Condensation starts by forming a cloud similar to steam or mist, finally the cold air makes rain called precipitation, but on the way down from the cloud, the rain makes contact with cold air or pollution. The cold air makes the rain have either hail, snow, or sleet. The pollution makes acid rain. Last of all there is normal rain.