Water exists in 3 states, namely liquid, gaseous, solid. Read more about it here. Evaporation is the conversion of liquid water to gas or water vapour. On the contrary, condensation is the conversion of gas or water vapour to liquid water. Check out the water cycle at Kidzone – Fun fact for kids.
The rate of evaporation will depend upon a number of factors. Rates increase when temperatures are higher. An increase of 10°C will approximately double the rate of evaporation. The humidity of the surrounding air will also influence evaporation. Drier air has a greater “thirst” for water vapour than humid, moist air. It follows therefore, that the presence of wind will also increase evaporation. On still days, water evaporating to the air remains close to its source, increasing the local humidity. As the moisture content of the air increases, evaporation will diminish. If, however, a steady flow of air exists to remove the newly formed vapour, the air surrounding the water source will remain dry, “thirsty” for future water.
