How is evaporation defined?

Evaporation is defined as the process of changing a liquid into a vapor or gas. This occurs when molecules in a liquid gain enough energy to break free from the surface and turn into vapor. This process is crucial in the water cycle, as it contributes to the formation of clouds and precipitation.

The other definitions provided do not accurately represent evaporation. The transformation from solid to liquid refers to melting, while changing from gas to liquid describes condensation. A change in temperature of a liquid can influence evaporation but is not a definition of the process itself; instead, it is a condition that may affect how quickly evaporation occurs. Therefore, defining evaporation specifically as the conversion of a liquid to vapor captures the essence of the phenomenon accurately.