Evaporation - GCSE Biology Definition

Reviewed by: Lára Marie McIvor

Published

Evaporation is the process where a liquid, like water, changes into a gas or vapour. This happens when the liquid is heated or when it's exposed to air, causing the particles on the surface to gain enough energy to break free and become a gas. Evaporation is a crucial part of the water cycle, which includes other processes like condensation and precipitation. For example, it plays a significant role when the sun heats up water in rivers, lakes, or oceans, turning it into water vapour and allowing it to rise into the atmosphere. Understanding evaporation helps us learn how clouds form and why it rains.

Examiner-written GCSE Biology revision resources that improve your grades 2x

  • Written by expert teachers and examiners
  • Aligned to exam specifications
  • Everything you need to know, and nothing you don’t
GCSE Biology revision resources

Share this article

Lára Marie McIvor

Reviewer: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Biology, Psychology & Sociology Subject Lead

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.

The examiner written revision resources that improve your grades 2x.

Join now