Science
How does evaporation work?
Evaporation happens when liquid turns into gas at its surface. The fastest-moving molecules near the surface gain enough energy to escape into the air — which is why puddles dry up and wet clothes dry, especially when it's warm or breezy.
See it in motion.
Watch a 2-minute animated lesson that shows exactly how evaporation works.
Step by step
- 1Liquid turns to gas at its surface.
- 2The most energetic surface molecules escape into the air.
- 3Heat and airflow speed it up.
- 4It cools the remaining liquid (evaporative cooling).
Frequently asked questions
- How does evaporation work?
- The fastest-moving molecules at a liquid's surface gain enough energy to escape as gas into the air.
- Why does evaporation cause cooling?
- The most energetic molecules leave, lowering the average energy — and temperature — of what remains.
- What speeds up evaporation?
- Higher temperature, more surface area, lower humidity, and moving air all help.