What is the term for the conversion of liquid into gas?

The conversion of liquid into gas is referred to as evaporation. This process occurs when molecules in a liquid gain enough energy to overcome the intermolecular forces holding them together, allowing them to enter the gaseous state. Evaporation happens at any temperature and does not require the liquid to reach its boiling point; it can occur at the surface of the liquid as the molecules at the surface escape into the air.

In contrast, the other processes mentioned involve different changes of state. Condensation is the transition from gas to liquid, while sublimation refers to the direct transition from solid to gas. Melting is the process of a solid turning into a liquid. Understanding these definitions and processes is essential for grasping the overall principles of changes in states of matter.