Question

If water evaporates from the ocean and becomes water vapor what has happened to its energy level?

Answer 1

When the water evaporates from the ocean and becomes water vapor, its energy level increases. The change in energy is positive. Water in the ocean is in liquid state. The molecules of water on getting the energy from the Sun increase their energy of movement and become gas. This change in energy is called the latent heat of vaporisation of water. Hence it can be said that a change in state of matter from liquid to gas causes a net increase in its energy.