Which process describes the conversion of a liquid to a gas?

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The process that describes the conversion of a liquid to a gas is evaporation. Evaporation occurs when molecules at the surface of a liquid gain enough energy to break free from the liquid's surface and enter the gas phase. This process is driven by temperature; as the temperature increases, more molecules have the energy required to escape into the air as vapor.

Evaporation is a gradual process that can take place at any temperature, as long as some molecules possess enough energy to escape. For instance, puddles of water can evaporate on a sunny day, leading to a decrease in water volume over time.

While boiling also involves the transformation of a liquid to gas, it occurs at a specific temperature called the boiling point throughout the entire liquid, rather than just at the surface. Condensation is the reverse process, where gas turns into a liquid, and freezing refers to the transition from liquid to solid. Thus, evaporation accurately captures the desired process of liquid becoming gas.