Vaporization

Definition

Vaporization is the phase transition from the liquid phase to the gas phase. It occurs when molecules in a liquid gain enough energy to overcome intermolecular forces and enter the vapor phase.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. There are two types of vaporization: evaporation and boiling.
2. Evaporation occurs at temperatures below the boiling point and typically happens at the surface of the liquid.
3. Boiling occurs when a liquid reaches its boiling point, where it forms vapor bubbles within the liquid that rise to the surface.
4. The heat of vaporization is the amount of energy required to convert a given amount of liquid into gas at constant temperature and pressure.
5. Factors like temperature, pressure, and surface area affect the rate of vaporization.

Review Questions

• What is vaporization and what are its two main types?
• How does evaporation differ from boiling in terms of where it occurs and required conditions?
• What role does heat of vaporization play in phase transitions?

Related terms

Condensation:

The phase transition from gas to liquid, occurring when gas molecules lose energy and form intermolecular bonds.

Heat of Vaporization: The amount of energy required to convert one mole or one gram of a liquid into gas at constant temperature and pressure.

Boiling Point:

The temperature at which a liquid's vapor pressure equals atmospheric pressure, causing it to change into a gas.