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What is Evaporation?

Hillary Flynn
Hillary Flynn
Hillary Flynn
Hillary Flynn

Evaporation occurs when a liquid changes its state to form a gas or vapor. Most that occurs on Earth is the change from the liquid state of water to a water vapor. Though it looks very simple, water is not only the most abundant compound on Earth, it is also very complex. The quantity of water on the Earth never changes; it simply changes form as it passes through what is known as the water cycle. Each stage entails different processes that are required to change water to a new form.

Water has three different states: liquid, vapor, and ice. Evaporation of water is the process by which it changes from liquid to a vapor. To do this, water requires one of several conditions to be in place. For a body of water such as a lake, river, or ocean to allow some of its water molecules to switch from a liquid and be released as a water vapor into the air, heat from the sun must be present to initiate the process. A change in energy or pressure is always required from some source for this process to occur.

During the evaporation process, water turns to a vapor.
During the evaporation process, water turns to a vapor.

Water molecules contained in the same body of water, such as an ocean, do not have the same level of energy. Individual molecules with higher energy will break away from other molecules when the sun delivers heat, or energy, to the entire body of water. This is how evaporation occurs in oceans. The more energy supplied, the stronger some molecules become and the easier it is for them to break their bond to the water molecules with less kinetic energy. This is why boiling water also results in the change from liquid to vapor. The heat supplied from the stove provides the energy that allows some of the water molecules to escape into the air.

An evaporative cooler, which works by evaporation.
An evaporative cooler, which works by evaporation.

Another example is human perspiration. When the human body heats up with exertion, humans sweat, then the perspiration covering the skin evaporates to cool the body down. This occurs because the high energy molecules escape into the air as a water vapor, and some of the heat used in the process escapes as well. As a result, the skin and body are cooled down.

Hillary Flynn
Hillary Flynn

Joining the AllTheScience team has helped to satisfy Hillary’s insatiable curiosity for knowledge. She also manages an electronic publishing business that allows her to develop her skills in technical writing, graphic design, and business development. Hillary has a passion for satirical writing and enjoys traveling, especially to places of historical importance.

Learn more...
Hillary Flynn
Hillary Flynn

Joining the AllTheScience team has helped to satisfy Hillary’s insatiable curiosity for knowledge. She also manages an electronic publishing business that allows her to develop her skills in technical writing, graphic design, and business development. Hillary has a passion for satirical writing and enjoys traveling, especially to places of historical importance.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon224167

this should be more detailed. it doesn't have all the information I need. Only very basic.

anon194730

complicated. no one can understand.

anon76795

very complicated!

anon71660

this really helps with projects.

anon58875

It's one of the first things you learn in chemistry class at grade 11!

anon54977

does saran wrap prevent the water molecules from escaping into the air?

anon54690

wow. this is quite difficult to catch.

anon49596

i need to know where the water molecules go. Where do they go?

anon45599

Very interesting.

anon44893

i don't understand this.

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    • During the evaporation process, water turns to a vapor.
      By: roblan
      During the evaporation process, water turns to a vapor.
    • An evaporative cooler, which works by evaporation.
      By: Alisha Vargas
      An evaporative cooler, which works by evaporation.