Which statement correctly describes vaporization and condensation, with evaporation and boiling as special cases?

Which statement correctly describes vaporization and condensation, with evaporation and boiling as special cases?

• A. Evaporation occurs at the surface at any temperature
• B. Vaporization is liquid to gas with energy absorbed
• C. Condensation is gas to liquid with energy released
• D. Boiling occurs throughout the liquid when the vapor pressure equals the surrounding pressure

Answer: (B)

Vaporization is the process of turning a liquid into a gas, and it requires energy input because you have to overcome the attractive forces holding the liquid together. Evaporation and boiling are two ways this can happen: evaporation occurs at the surface at any temperature below the boiling point, while boiling happens throughout the liquid when the vapor pressure equals the surrounding pressure. So the broad statement that vaporization is liquid to gas with energy absorbed captures the general idea and includes evaporation and boiling as special cases. Condensation is the reverse process—gas to liquid with energy released.

Vaporization is the process of turning a liquid into a gas, and it requires energy input because you have to overcome the attractive forces holding the liquid together. Evaporation and boiling are two ways this can happen: evaporation occurs at the surface at any temperature below the boiling point, while boiling happens throughout the liquid when the vapor pressure equals the surrounding pressure. So the broad statement that vaporization is liquid to gas with energy absorbed captures the general idea and includes evaporation and boiling as special cases. Condensation is the reverse process—gas to liquid with energy released.