The sun's energy drives the water cycle by evaporating water from oceans, lakes, and rivers, and causing it to condense into clouds. When the clouds release water as precipitation, it can cause erosion by washing away soil and sediment. The water also contributes to physical weathering by freezing and expanding in cracks and crevices, causing rocks to break down. Deposition occurs when sediment is transported and deposited in new locations by wind, water, or ice, contributing to geological changes over time.