What is Evaporation?

Evaporation is the process where a liquid changes into vapor from its surface. Water evaporates from oceans, lakes, rivers, soil, and wet surfaces.

What affects evaporation?

Heat, wind, surface area, and dry air can speed up evaporation. Cooler air, still air, or high humidity can slow it down.

Evaporation in the water cycle

Evaporation moves water from Earth's surface into the atmosphere. Later, water vapor can cool and become liquid again through condensation.

Evaporation is one reason wet clothes dry and why ocean water can leave salt behind.