What is the Difference Between Evaporation and Boiling?

Evaporation and boiling are both processes that involve changing a liquid to a gas. However, there are several key differences between the two:

1. Speed: Evaporation is a slower process, while boiling is faster. Evaporation can take days or weeks, whereas boiling can occur in a matter of minutes.
2. Temperature Required: A liquid will evaporate at any temperature above freezing, without reaching a specific temperature. In contrast, boiling occurs only when the liquid reaches a certain temperature, known as the boiling point.
3. Location: Evaporation occurs only on the surface of the liquid, whereas boiling occurs throughout the liquid.
4. Bubbles: Evaporation does not produce bubbles, while boiling produces lots of bubbles.
5. Cooling: Evaporation leads to cooling, as the energy required for the process comes from the environment. Boiling, on the other hand, does not result in cooling.

Examples of evaporation include the drying of wet floors and wet clothes, the evaporation of nail polish remover, and the cooling of tea. Boiling, however, is commonly observed during cooking, such as boiling water for pasta or boiling eggs.

Comparative Table: Evaporation vs Boiling

Here is a table summarizing the differences between evaporation and boiling:

Evaporation is a slower process that happens at the surface of a liquid, while boiling is a faster process that occurs throughout the liquid. Boiling requires a higher temperature and more energy than evaporation.