Final answer:
Evaporation is the transition of water from liquid to gas, driven by solar energy, and is a key component of the water cycle. It's different from sublimation, which affects ice, and condensation, where gas returns to liquid form. Transpiration, a related process, involves plants releasing water vapor into the air.
Step-by-step explanation:
Evaporation is a process that occurs when liquid water on the Earth's surface is heated by the sun and transforms into water vapor. This is a crucial part of the water cycle, which is driven by solar energy. When water molecules are heated, they gain enough energy to break free from the liquid state and become gaseous water vapor, which then rises into the atmosphere. This is in contrast to sublimation, where ice changes directly to water vapor, and condensation, where water vapor changes back into liquid water.
Transpiration is another process, related to evaporation, where plants release water vapor through their leaves into the atmosphere. Eventually, all water vapor formed from evaporation, sublimation, and transpiration condenses to form clouds and returns to the Earth's surface as precipitation, such as rain or snow.