Which best explains the relationship between evaporation and temperature?
a) a liquid evaporates slower at lower temperatures because the molecules are more spread apart and are not pushed as easily from the liquid’s surface.
b) a liquid evaporates faster at lower temperatures because the attractions are decreased and more particles can escape the surface of the liquid.
c) a liquid evaporates slower at higher temperatures because the vapor pressure of the liquid is higher, so fewer molecules can escape the surface.
d) a liquid evaporates faster at higher temperatures because more particles have a higher speed and can overcome attractions in the liquid.

Option (d) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

Evaporation is a process in which liquid phase of a substance changes into vapor or gaseous phase.

In a liquid, molecules are less tightly held together as compared to solids. Therefore, molecules of a liquid are able to slide past each other. But when a liquid is heated at a high temperature then molecules gain more kinetic energy.

As a result, number of collision increases between the molecules and hence they start to evaporate from the liquid.

Thus, we can conclude that the statement a liquid evaporates faster at higher temperatures because more particles have a higher speed and can overcome attractions in the liquid, best explains the relationship between evaporation and temperature.

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