Solar energy<span> drives the </span>cycle by evaporating water<span> from the oceans, lakes, rivers, and even the soil. Other </span>water<span> moves from </span>plants to<span> the atmosphere through the process of transpiration.</span> Plants put down roots into the soil to draw water and nutrients<span> up into the stems </span>and leaves. Some of this water<span> is returned to the air by transpiration (when combined with evaporation, the total process is known as evapotranspiration).