Verified Solution Science A Journey through States of Water

If you leave a glass of water uncovered in a room, what happens to the energy of the water molecules that escape into the air as vapour?

7 views 2 helpful Updated Jul 1, 2026
Solution ✔ Verified
  • AThey lose energy and become colder.
  • BThey gain enough kinetic energy to overcome surface tension.
  • CThey release energy as they evaporate.
  • DThey convert into another type of molecule.
Explanation

For water molecules to escape from the liquid surface and become vapour, they must gain enough kinetic energy from their surroundings to overcome the attractive forces (surface tension) holding them in the liquid state.

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