What is the process called when a liquid changes into a gas?

The process in which a liquid changes into a gas is known as evaporation. During this process, molecules in a liquid gain sufficient energy to overcome the intermolecular forces that hold them together, allowing them to escape into the air as gas. This transition occurs at various temperatures and is often more noticeable at higher temperatures, though it can happen at any temperature given enough time.

Melting refers to the transition from a solid to a liquid, whereas freezing is the opposite process, where a liquid turns into a solid. Condensation, on the other hand, is the process by which a gas transforms back into a liquid, often occurring when the gas cools or is compressed. Understanding these terms and their meanings helps clarify how matter changes states, which is fundamental in chemistry.