Answer:The statement 'atoms gain energy during evaporation and boiling' BEST describes the energy changes associated with evaporation and boiling.
In a given substance (e.g., water), atoms gain energy when they obtain kinetic energy, i.e. when they gain movement.
Evaporation refers to the physical process where a liquid is converted to a gas (in this case, water).
These processes (evaporation and boiling) increase the kinetic energy of water molecules to the detriment of the potential energy.
In conclusion, the statement 'atoms gain energy during evaporation and boiling' BEST describes the energy changes associated with evaporation and boiling.