Evaporation

Slovak term: Slovenský termín

1. The process by which a liquid becomes a gas ( WHO et al. 2003).

Explanation

Generally, evaporation can be seen by the gradual disappearance of water when exposed to air. Evaporation is an essential part of the water cycle. Solar heat energy drives evaporation of water from oceans, lakes, and the soil (WHO et al. 2003)

Evaporation is the opposite of condensation. Generally, evaporation can be seen by the gradual disappearance of water when exposed to air (World Plumbing Council).

Example

• Evaporation of water will take place slowly if the air has a high concentration of moisture.
• If the flow rate of air moving over water is high then it will increase the evaporation rate and also the moisture level in the air.
• Temperature also has an impact on the evaporation rate of water. A rise in temperature of water will increase the evaporation rate because the water molecular forces are activated by the heat energy.
• Evaporation will increase even further if the surface area of the water is increased; this is due to more surface molecules in contact with the atmosphere (World Plumbing Council).

References

• WHO, WMO and UNEP (2003) Climate change and human health: risks and responses.
• World Plumbing Council

Links

• WHO — The Health and Environment Lexicon