evaporation

/i,væpə'reiʃn/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
evaporation

Water droplets on a leaf slowly disappear through evaporation.

Definition
  1. 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.
evaporation

Water droplets on a leaf slowly disappear through evaporation.

Noun
  1. the process of extracting moisture
  2. the process of becoming a vapor