Question

What are the factors affecting evaporation?

Answer 1

(i) Surface area of the liquid:
We know that evaporation is a surface phenomenon. If the surface area is increased, the rate of evaporation increases. This is because more number of particles get exposed to form vapours. For example, while putting clothes for drying up we spread them out.

(ii) Temperature:
Rate of evaporation increases with an increase in temperature. This is because with the increase of temperature, more number of particles get enough kinetic energy to go into the vapour state.

(iii) Humidity in the air:
Humidity is the amount of water vapour present in the air. The air around us cannot hold more than a definite amount of water vapour at a given temperature. If the amount of water in air is already high, the rate of evaporation decreases.

(iv) Wind speed:
With the increase in wind speed, the particles of water vapour move away with the wind, decreasing the amount of water vapour in the surrounding. Therefore, the rate of evaporation increases with increase in the speed of the wind.