What process describes the change from a liquid to a gas?

The process that describes the change from a liquid to a gas is evaporation. This occurs when molecules at the surface of a liquid gain enough energy to overcome the forces of attraction holding them together, allowing them to escape into the air as gas. This transformation can happen at any temperature, as long as some molecules within the liquid have sufficient energy to evaporate.

In evaporation, the process is gradual, occurring at the surface of the liquid. It is influenced by factors such as temperature, surface area, and air movement. This is distinct from boiling, which refers to the rapid transition of a liquid to a gas that occurs throughout the liquid at a specific temperature called the boiling point.

While processes like condensation or sublimation relate to different states of matter changes, they do not pertain to the transition from liquid to gas in the way that evaporation does. Understanding these distinctions provides clarity on the behavior of different states of matter and the conditions under which these phase changes occur.