Question

The rate of evaporation depends on ______
a.) Surface area
b.) Temperature
c.) Humidity
d.) All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Evaporation is the phenomenon which includes conversion in the state of matter, where a liquid is converted to vapour. This conversion requires energy. Evaporation of sweat from our body is a reason why our body keeps cool.

Complete step by step answer:
Evaporation is the process of change in state of matter, which includes change from liquid state to vapour state. This change is brought about by some form of energy in the form of heat. Evaporation, therefore, is an endothermic process. It can be represented as – \[{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}\text{O(l)}\rightleftharpoons {{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}\text{O}(g)\].
Evaporation increases as the surface area increases. It is because evaporation is a surface phenomenon.
Evaporation rate increases with increase in temperature since it is an endothermic process.
High humidity decreases evaporation, it is because the environment is saturated and already contains moisture.
So, we can say that evaporation depends on all three given options, i.e. surface area, temperature, humidity.
Therefore, the answer is – option (d) – All of the above.

Additional Information:
Other than temperature, humidity and surface area, evaporation also depends on wind speed. With increase in wind speed, evaporation increases.

Note: Evaporation causes cooling. There are many examples of evaporation from our daily lives –
Earthen pots – The porous structure of earthen pots helps in evaporation of water from the pot. The water utilizes heat and evaporates which in exchange keeps the pot and water cool.
Human skin – Sweating is the body's hack to keep the body cool. People sweat a lot in hotter climates due to the same.
Desert coolers – The water filled inside the desert cooler evaporates by absorbing heat from the surroundings. Therefore, it makes the room cool.
Drying of clothes also takes place due to evaporation. You might have noticed clothes dry faster in hotter, windy and dry climates.