Evaporation is the process by which liquid water transforms into water vapor, a gas. This occurs when molecules at the surface of the liquid gain enough energy to break free from the liquid's surface tension. Factors such as temperature, surface area, and air movement can influence the rate of evaporation. For instance, warm temperatures increase molecular energy, leading to faster evaporation. This process is crucial in the water cycle, contributing to cloud formation and precipitation. Evaporation also plays a significant role in cooling mechanisms, such as sweating in humans, where the body loses heat as sweat evaporates from the skin's surface.