Evaporation Explanation

Family Connection: Want to help your child prepare for Wednesday's quiz? Take a moment to peruse their science notebook with them. They have notes on the processes of condensation and evaporation that they are proud of and eager to share with you! Look back at some of their previous note-taking ventures and compliment them at how they've grown and improved over the year. Then take a walk together to look for examples of condensation and evaporation. For example, you might find condensation on the windows of cars or homes. You might discover evaporation in action as you pass a clothesline full of drying laundry. Have your child record their findings by making a list or drawing a quick sketch. This will give them a point of reference for your follow up discussion back at the house. Encourage them to bring in these examples; they will have an opportunity to share them in class.

Here's the science scoop on evaporation. Over the past week, we've gotten the opportunity to see evaporation in action. We know that this process takes time, but can go faster with the help of a hair dryer. The hot temperature of the air coming from the dryer makes the liquid water gain heat energy very quickly, which helps it change to a gas more rapidly than normal.

We discussed that evaporation is kind of like the reverse process of condensation. In condensation, water vapor changes to liquid droplets. In evaporation, liquid changes to water vapor, once the liquid gains enough energy.