Which phase change is described as liquid turning into gas?

Which phase change is described as liquid turning into gas?

• A. Condensation
• B. Sublimation
• C. Deposition
• D. Evaporation

Answer: (D)

Liquid turning into gas is evaporation. In this process, molecules at the surface gain enough energy to overcome the attractive forces holding them in the liquid and escape into the air as vapor. Evaporation can occur at any temperature below the liquid’s boiling point and tends to cool the remaining liquid because the highest-energy molecules leave first. This is different from boiling, which happens throughout the liquid at a specific temperature when vapor pressure matches the surrounding pressure. Condensation is the reverse (gas to liquid), sublimation is solid to gas, and deposition is gas to solid. An everyday example is a puddle gradually drying up as it evaporates.

Liquid turning into gas is evaporation. In this process, molecules at the surface gain enough energy to overcome the attractive forces holding them in the liquid and escape into the air as vapor. Evaporation can occur at any temperature below the liquid’s boiling point and tends to cool the remaining liquid because the highest-energy molecules leave first. This is different from boiling, which happens throughout the liquid at a specific temperature when vapor pressure matches the surrounding pressure. Condensation is the reverse (gas to liquid), sublimation is solid to gas, and deposition is gas to solid. An everyday example is a puddle gradually drying up as it evaporates.