Question

The rate of evaporation is affected by which of the following?
(i) Wind
(ii) Temperature
(iii) Area of exposed surface
(iv) Humidity

• A. i, ii, & iv only
• B. i, iii, & iv only
• C. i, ii, & iii only
• D. i, ii, iii, & iv

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

i, ii, iii, & iv

The rate of evaporation is affected by wind, temperature, area of exposed surface and humidity is as follows:

1) Wind - When water evaporates, the air surrounding it gets saturated by it. Wind increases the rate of evaporation by quickly removing the saturated air thereby allowing more evaporation to occur.

2) Temperature - As temperature increases, rate of evaporation also increases.

3) Area of exposed surface - Evaporation is a surface phenomenon. Only the water of exposed surface changes from liquid state to gaseous state, thus as the area exposed increases, rate of evaporation also increases.

4) Humidity - It is the measure of amount of water vapour present in air. Evaporation increases with a decrease in humidity 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.

Option D is correct.