Which factor is NOT part of the water cycle?

The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, includes processes that involve the continuous movement of water within the Earth and atmosphere. The key components of the water cycle are evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

Evaporation is the process by which water is converted from liquid to vapor, typically occurring in bodies of water such as lakes and oceans as the sun heats the surface. Condensation refers to the process where water vapor cools and turns back into liquid water, often forming clouds. Precipitation is the eventual falling of water back to Earth in various forms, such as rain, snow, or sleet.

Photosynthesis, while crucial for plant life and the overall health of ecosystems, is not a direct process in the water cycle. It involves plants converting sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen, but does not directly relate to the movement of water through different states and locations in the environment. Thus, photosynthesis is correctly identified as the factor that is not part of the water cycle.