Question

The rate of evaporation increases with:
a) increase of surface area
b) increase of temperature
c) increase in wind speed
d) all of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Evaporation is a process in which a substance changes from one state to another. It depends upon several factors like surface area, humidity, temperature, wind speed, etc.

Complete step by step answer:
Evaporation takes place when a liquid turns into a gas. It is also known as vaporization. It usually happens on the surface of the water. It is known to be a slow process and occurs at all temperatures. The rate of evaporation is affected by many factors. These are given below:
1.) Effect of the Surface area: Evaporation increases with the increase in surface area. It is because, the larger the surface area that is exposed to air, the more molecules will escape into the air.
2.) Effect of Temperature: Evaporation increases with the increase in temperature as more molecules get kinetic energy to convert into vapor. When the water is heated, the water molecules tend to move rapidly. This makes the molecules escape faster.
3.) Effect of Humidity: Evaporation increases with a decrease in humidity. The air around can only hold a certain amount of vapor at a certain time and a certain temperature. If the temperature increases and the wind speed and humidity stay constant, then the rate of evaporation will increase since warmer air can hold more water vapor than colder air.
4.) Effect of Wind Speed: Evaporation increases with the increase in wind speed. Particles of vapor move away when the speed of wind increases. This leads to a decrease in the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere and thus an increase in evaporation.

Therefore, All these factors affect the evaporation process and hence, the correct option is option (d).

Note: Students tend to confuse between evaporation and boiling. Note that evaporation is a surface phenomenon and boiling is a bulk phenomenon. Evaporation can occur at any temperature but boiling occurs at the boiling point of that substance.