What factors contribute to the rate of evaporation?

The rate of evaporation is influenced by multiple factors, all of which play a crucial role in determining how quickly a liquid converts into vapor. Temperature is vital because higher temperatures increase the kinetic energy of molecules, making it easier for them to escape into the air. Wind speed enhances evaporation by moving the vapor away from the liquid's surface, allowing more molecules to escape instead of returning to the liquid.

Humidity is equally important; lower humidity levels create a greater difference between the vapor pressure of the liquid and the surrounding air, facilitating evaporation. Lastly, the surface area of the liquid impacts evaporation; a larger surface area allows more molecules to evaporate simultaneously.

Together, these factors—temperature, wind speed, humidity, and surface area—interact to determine the overall rate of evaporation, making this option the most comprehensive and accurate.