Here's a breakdown:
* Gravity: The Earth's gravity pulls everything, including water, towards the center of the planet.
* Elevation: Higher elevations have a greater gravitational potential energy.
* Flow: Water naturally moves from areas of higher potential energy to areas of lower potential energy, creating a flow downwards.
This principle applies to many forms of water movement:
* Rivers and Streams: Water flows from mountains and hills down to valleys and oceans.
* Groundwater: Water percolates through soil and rock, eventually flowing towards lower elevations.
* Glaciers: Glaciers slowly move downhill under their own weight, carving out valleys and transporting water.
* Rainfall: Rainwater flows across the land, collecting in streams, rivers, and lakes.
So, no matter where you start, water will always flow downward from higher elevations.
