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Chapter 11: Problem 46

How can water be made to evaporate rap- idly at room temperature?

Short Answer

Expert verified
To make water evaporate rapidly at room temperature, maximize the surface area of the water, increase air movement over the water, and decrease the humidity in the space.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Evaporation

Evaporation is a process where liquid changes into gas. This process happens at any temperature when the molecules at the surface of the water gain enough energy to change into a gaseous form. While evaporation normally occurs more rapidly at higher temperatures, it is also possible for it to occur rapidly at room temperature.
02

Factors affecting Evaporation

Several factors affect the rate of evaporation including temperature, surface area, air movement, and humidity. Since we are considering room temperature, we cannot increase the temperature to speed up evaporation. But we can manipulate the other factors to speed up the process.
03

Increasing Surface Area

The more surface area water has, the more quickly it can evaporate. Therefore, spreading the water out over a large area will allow for rapid evaporation. This can be achieved by pouring the water over a flat, wide surface, such as a tray.
04

Increasing Air Movement

Increased air movement over the surface of the water can also lead to increased evaporation. This is because as the water molecules evaporate, the air directly above the surface becomes more humid. If this humid air stays stationary, it can slow down evaporation. However, if the air is moving, it carries away the humid air, encouraging more water molecules to evaporate. A fan or another source of air flow can be used to provide this increased air movement.
05

Decreasing Humidity

Decreasing the amount of moisture in the air can increase evaporation. Dry air is able to hold more water vapor, thus promoting evaporation. This can be achieved by using a dehumidifier near the water source.

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