What is evaporation? Name the factors that affect evaporation.

The process of conversion of water into its gaseous state is called evaporation. It may also be termed as vaporization.

The factors affecting evaporation are:

1. Air Pressure — The rate of evaporation is higher when pressure is low.
2. Availability of water — The rate of evaporation is higher where large water bodies are present.
3. Temperature — Evaporation is directly proportional to temperature. The warmer the evaporating surface, the higher the rate of evaporation.
4. Relative humidity — The rate of evaporation in dry air is more than in moist air.
5. Area of evaporating surface — Larger area of evaporating surface offers more evaporation.