University of Central Florida (UCF) PSC1121 Physical Science Final Practice Exam

The change of state from a liquid to a gas is known as evaporation. This process occurs when molecules at the surface of a liquid gain enough energy to overcome intermolecular forces and enter the gas phase. Evaporation typically happens at temperatures below the boiling point of the liquid, allowing for a gradual transition as molecules escape from the liquid surface.

In contrast, condensation refers to the process where gas transforms back into a liquid, while freezing is the transition from liquid to solid. Sublimation involves the direct phase transition from solid to gas without passing through the liquid state, such as in the case of dry ice turning into carbon dioxide gas. This makes evaporation the correct term for the conversion of liquid to gas.