Question

On what factors does evaporation of a liquid depend?
The question has multiple correct options.
A. The velocity of the wind
B. The temperature of the surroundings
C. The surface area of liquid exposed
D. The humidity of the surroundings

Answer 1

Hint:Conversion of liquid into gaseous state at all temperatures is called evaporation. The liquid consists of tiny molecules that are vibrating at a certain speed and with certain energy. When a liquid molecule at the surface vibrates with little more energy than the system, it leaves the system. This phenomenon is called evaporation. Temperature, humidity are some factors that are responsible for providing extra energy to the molecule.

Complete answer:
There are three states of matter. They are solid, liquid and gaseous. Conversion of liquid into gaseous state is called evaporation. Evaporation is based on vibration of molecules. If there is a rise in temperature of the surroundings, the molecules will vibrate with more energy and hence evaporation will occur. Therefore, the rate of evaporation increases with the rise in temperature of the surroundings.

The vibration in molecules increases due to increase in heat. Therefore, the rate of evaporation also depends on the heat of the surroundings. Evaporation is the phenomenon that occurs on the surface of the liquid. More surface area of liquid exposed, more will be the number of liquid molecules that will escape the surface. Therefore, evaporation of a liquid also depends on the surface area of liquid exposed.

After evaporation, the gaseous molecules of the liquid are present above the liquid surface. The wind may draw off those molecules to air. This gives space for more molecules to evaporate. Therefore, more the velocity of the wind, more will be the rate of evaporation.

Hence, options A,B,C and D are the correct answers.

Note: If temperature of the surroundings and the humidity of the surroundings is more, the rate of evaporation increases. But the liquid in which the process of evaporation takes place, cools down. This is because evaporation causes cooling as molecules carrying high energy and high amounts of heat escape from the surface of the liquid. This cools the liquid down.