What term describes the process by which liquid water transforms into vapor?

The correct answer is evaporation, which is the process by which liquid water transforms into vapor. This occurs when molecules at the surface of the liquid gain enough energy—often from heat—to overcome the attractive forces that hold them together in the liquid state. As these molecules escape into the air as vapor, the surrounding temperature can rise as the liquid loses energy, leading to a cooling effect in the remaining water body.

Evaporation is a crucial part of the water cycle, contributing to precipitation and influencing weather patterns. It significantly affects ecosystems and climate by regulating moisture levels in the atmosphere. In contrast, the other options describe different processes: condensation refers to the transformation of vapor back into liquid, freezing is the transition of liquid into solid, and subduction relates to geological processes involving the movement of tectonic plates, which does not pertain to the transformation of states of water.