The natural exchange of water between land, oceans and the atmosphere is known as

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the name of the process by which water moves naturally between the land, oceans and the atmosphere.

Step 2: Explain the concept The hydrological cycle (also called the water cycle) is the continuous circulation of water between the Earth's surface and the atmosphere. "Hydro" means water. The main processes are:

• Evaporation: Water from oceans, rivers and lakes turns into vapour because of the sun's heat.
• Transpiration: Plants release water vapour into the air. Evaporation and transpiration together are called evapotranspiration.
• Condensation: Water vapour cools and forms clouds.
• Precipitation: Water falls as rain, hail or snow.
• Runoff, infiltration and percolation: Water flows over land into rivers and seas, or soaks into the ground, and the cycle starts again.

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Energy cycle: Not a standard geographical cycle of water exchange. It concerns the flow of energy, not water.
• B. Hydrological cycle: Correct. It is the exchange of water among land, oceans and the atmosphere.
• C. Nitrogen cycle: This is the movement of nitrogen between the air, soil and living things.
• D. Carbon cycle: This is the movement of carbon among the atmosphere, living things, oceans and rocks.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is B. hydrological cycle.

Exam tip: Look at the key word in the question, which is water. "Hydro" always points to water, as in hydroelectric, hydrology and hydrate. When you see "water" and "cycle" together, think hydrological.