Identify the incorrect statement about evaporation(A) It causes coolin...
The rate of evaporation increases with increase in temperature, surface area & wind speed but decrease by the increase in humidity.
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Identify the incorrect statement about evaporation(A) It causes coolin...
Incorrect Statement about Evaporation:
The incorrect statement about evaporation is option (B): "It increases with an increase in humidity."
Evaporation is the process by which a liquid changes into a gas or vapor state. It occurs when the molecules of a liquid gain enough energy to overcome the forces of attraction between them and escape into the surrounding atmosphere. While humidity does play a role in evaporation, it does not directly increase the rate of evaporation.
Explanation:
Evaporation is influenced by several factors, including temperature, humidity, surface area, and wind speed. Let's discuss each of these factors and their effects on evaporation:
1. Temperature:
- Evaporation increases with an increase in temperature. As the temperature rises, the kinetic energy of the liquid molecules increases, leading to more frequent collisions and higher chances of molecules escaping into the gas phase. This is why evaporation is faster on hot summer days compared to cooler days.
2. Humidity:
- Humidity refers to the amount of moisture present in the air. It is the measure of how much water vapor the air can hold at a particular temperature.
- Contrary to the incorrect statement, evaporation actually decreases with an increase in humidity. When the air is already saturated with moisture, it becomes more difficult for additional water molecules to evaporate from the liquid surface. This is because the air is already holding as much moisture as it can, reducing the concentration gradient necessary for evaporation to occur.
3. Surface Area:
- Evaporation also depends on the surface area of the liquid exposed to the air. A larger surface area allows for more molecules to escape into the gas phase, increasing the rate of evaporation. This is why spreading wet clothes out to dry or using a fan to increase air circulation speeds up the evaporation process.
4. Wind Speed:
- Wind speed affects evaporation by removing the moisture-saturated air from the vicinity of the liquid surface. The movement of air replenishes the dry air, maintaining a concentration gradient that facilitates evaporation. Higher wind speeds result in faster evaporation rates.
In conclusion, the incorrect statement about evaporation is that it increases with an increase in humidity. Evaporation actually decreases with an increase in humidity due to the reduced concentration gradient for moisture transfer.
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