Evaporation is the process by which a liquid turns into a gas. This occurs when molecules in the liquid gain enough energy to break free from the surface and enter the air. Factors such as temperature, surface area, and air movement can influence the rate of evaporation. Common examples of evaporation include water from a puddle drying up on a sunny day or sweat evaporating from the skin to help cool the body. This process is essential in the water cycle, where water from oceans, lakes, and rivers evaporates into the atmosphere, contributing to cloud formation and precipitation.