Evaporation happens all the time
A wet shirt hangs on the terrace. Nobody boils it. By evening, it is dry.
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Step 1 of 4
- A wet cloth hangs on the line.
- Vapour rises off it, unseen.
- The vapour drifts into the air.
- By evening, the cloth is dry.
The rule
Evaporation is liquid water turning into vapour. It happens at almost any temperature.
Evaporation is faster with:
- More surface — spread-out water dries faster. More of the water touches air.
- More warmth — warm water dries faster. Its tiny bits move faster and leave sooner.
- Moving air — a breeze carries the vapour away.