Which term best describes the process in which particles escape from the surface of a liquid and become gaseous?

• A. Evaporation
• B. Condensation
• C. Sublimation
• D. Melting

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the physical processes involved in phase changes between states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.
2. Identify that the question asks about particles escaping from the surface of a liquid to become gas, which involves a transition from liquid to gas phase.
3. Recall that evaporation is the process where particles at the surface of a liquid gain enough energy to overcome intermolecular forces and enter the gas phase without boiling.
4. Differentiate evaporation from other terms: condensation is gas to liquid, sublimation is solid to gas, and melting is solid to liquid.
5. Conclude that the term describing particles escaping from the surface of a liquid to become gaseous is evaporation.