The scientific term for the cycle of water evaporating and falling as precipitation is the hydrologic cycle (or water cycle). This cycle involves processes such as evaporation, where water transforms from liquid to vapor; condensation, where vapor forms clouds; and precipitation, where water returns to the Earth's surface in various forms, including rain, snow, and hail. The hydrologic cycle plays a vital role in maintaining ecosystems, supporting life, and regulating the global climate. It illustrates the interconnectedness of various environmental processes.