Vaporization is the phase transition of a substance from a liquid to a gas, occurring when molecules gain sufficient energy to overcome intermolecular forces. This process can occur through evaporation, which happens at the surface below boiling point, or boiling, which involves the entire liquid at its boiling point.

Vaporization

A phase transition is a transformation between different states of matter, such as solid, liquid, and gas, driven by changes in external conditions like temperature and pressure. It involves critical phenomena and can be characterized by abrupt changes in physical properties, such as density or magnetization, at specific transition points.

phase transition

Liquid to gas

molecules gain sufficient energy

Intermolecular forces are the forces of attraction or repulsion between neighboring molecules, crucial for determining the physical properties of substances such as boiling and melting points. These forces, while weaker than intramolecular forces (bonds within molecules), play a significant role in the behavior of liquids, solids, and gases.

intermolecular forces

Evaporation is the process by which molecules transition from a liquid state to a gaseous state, occurring when molecules at the surface gain enough energy to overcome intermolecular forces. This process is crucial for the water cycle, influencing weather patterns and climate by contributing to cloud formation and precipitation.

evaporation

surface below boiling point

Boiling is the process where a liquid turns into vapor when its vapor pressure equals the atmospheric pressure, occurring at a specific temperature known as the boiling point. This phase transition involves energy absorption, which is used to break intermolecular bonds rather than increase temperature, resulting in a constant temperature until all the liquid has vaporized.

boiling

entire liquid

The boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid's vapor pressure equals the external pressure surrounding the liquid, causing it to transition into a gas. This temperature can vary based on atmospheric pressure, impurities in the liquid, and intermolecular forces within the liquid itself.

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