What is the process called when a substance changes from liquid to gas?

The process of a substance changing from liquid to gas is known as evaporation. This occurs when molecules in the liquid gain enough energy to transition into the gas phase, typically as a result of an increase in temperature or a decrease in pressure. Evaporation is a critical concept in various fields, including chemistry and environmental science, as it plays a key role in phenomena such as water cycle processes and temperature regulation.

In contrast, condensation refers to the process where gas transitions back to a liquid; deposition is the process where a gas turns directly into a solid without becoming a liquid first; and solidification is the transformation of a liquid into a solid. These processes are fundamentally different from evaporation, which focuses specifically on the transition of a substance from liquid to gas.