Final answer:
The vapor pressure of a liquid is affected by intermolecular forces, temperature, and the volume/surface area of the liquid.
Step-by-step explanation:
Vapor pressure is the pressure at which a gas coexists with its liquid phase. It is influenced by several factors:
- Intermolecular forces: Strong intermolecular forces impede vaporization and result in a lower vapor pressure, while weak intermolecular forces allow for easier vaporization and result in a higher vapor pressure.
- Temperature: As the temperature increases, more molecules have enough energy to escape the liquid phase and enter the gas phase, leading to an increase in vapor pressure.
- Volume and surface area: These factors do not directly affect vapor pressure, but they can indirectly influence it by affecting the rate at which molecules evaporate and escape from the liquid phase.