Final answer:
The process by which water is returned to the atmosphere from the Earth's surface is called the hydrological or water cycle. It involves various physical processes and the movement of water in different forms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process by which water is returned to the atmosphere from the Earth's surface (from the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere) is called the hydrological cycle or water cycle. The water cycle involves several physical processes, including evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, surface runoff, and subsurface flow. Water moves from one reservoir to another in different forms, such as liquid, solid (ice), or gas (water vapor).