What phenomenon explains the process of a liquid turning into vapor?

• A. Condensation
• B. Evaporation
• C. Freezing
• D. Transpiration

Answer: (B)

The process of a liquid turning into vapor is best described by evaporation. Evaporation occurs when molecules in a liquid gain enough energy to overcome intermolecular forces and transition into the gas phase. This process typically happens at the surface of the liquid and can occur at any temperature, although it is more rapid at higher temperatures where more molecules have enough energy to escape into the vapor state.

In contrast, condensation refers to the reverse process, where vapor turns back into liquid. Freezing involves the transition of a liquid to a solid state, which is not relevant to vaporization. Transpiration is a biological process where water is absorbed by plant roots and released as vapor from plant leaves, which also does not directly describe the phenomenon of a liquid turning into vapor in a general context. Thus, evaporation is the key term that captures the essence of this phase change.