evaporation
/i,væpə'reiʃn/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The process of a liquid turning into vapor: The physical change where a substance in its liquid state transforms into its gaseous state, typically due to heat or reduced pressure.
- The process of extracting moisture; drying: The removal of water or other liquid from a substance, often as a result of the first process.
Usage and Examples
- As a noun:
- The evaporation of water from the ocean is a key part of the water cycle. (This describes the natural process of liquid water becoming vapor.)
- Rapid evaporation of the spilled solvent left a stain on the floor. (This shows the process happening quickly.)
- The ancient method of salt production relies on the evaporation of seawater in shallow ponds. (This illustrates the process of extracting a substance by removing moisture.)
Advanced Usage
- Scientific Context: In physics and chemistry, 'evaporation' specifically refers to the surface phenomenon where particles escape from a liquid to become gas, distinct from boiling which occurs throughout the liquid.
- The experiment measured the rate of evaporation for different alcohols at room temperature.
- Figurative Use: It can be used metaphorically to describe something disappearing or dissipating gradually.
- After the scandal, public support for the policy underwent a rapid evaporation.
Variants and Related Words
- Evaporate (verb): To change from a liquid to a vapor; to disappear or cause to disappear.
- The morning dew will evaporate as the sun rises.
- Evaporative (adjective): Relating to or involving evaporation.
- The swamp cooler uses an evaporative cooling process.
- Evaporated (adjective): Describing a liquid that has been turned into vapor, or a substance from which moisture has been removed.
- The recipe calls for evaporated milk.
Synonyms
- Vaporization: The general process of turning into vapor (can include boiling).
- Desiccation: The process of drying out completely.
- Drying: The removal of moisture.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- To evaporate into thin air: To disappear completely and suddenly.
- The promised funding seemed to evaporate into thin air.
- Rate of evaporation: A common scientific phrase describing how quickly a liquid turns to vapor under given conditions.
- Wind increases the rate of evaporation from the soil.
Noun
- the process of extracting moisture
- the process of becoming a vapor