Water exists in three states: liquid, solid (ice), and gas (vapor). Water in all of its various forms is continually passed along the water cycle moving from oceans and lakes, to the atmosphere ...

When the sun shines down on the ocean that energy will transform liquid water into the gaseous state of water vapor. That is the process of evaporation, which you can see in the water cycle image.

KS1/KS2 Primary Geography. The water cycle. A short animation for Key Stage 2 pupils explaining the water cycle - including evaporation, condensation and precipitation. BBC Teach.