Which among the following are the factors affecting evaporation?
1. the rate of evaporation increases with an increase of surface area.
2. the rate of evaporation increases with a an increase in humidity.

Question

Question

Answer 1

The correct answer is 1 only.

Evaporation is the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapor.

Key Points

The rate of evaporation increases with-
- an increase of surface area: the larger the surface area that is exposed to air, the more molecules will escape into the air. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- an increase of temperature: more number of particles get enough kinetic energy to go into the vapour state.
- a decrease in humidity: Evaporation is an equilibrium process through which the amount of water vapour in the atmosphere reaches an equilibrium with the amount of water in the surface of the liquid. If the amount of water in the air is already high, the rate of evaporation decreases. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
- an increase in 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.