key term - Evaporative cooling

Definition

Evaporative cooling is a natural process where water changes from liquid to vapor state by absorbing heat energy from its surroundings. As water molecules evaporate, they take away thermal energy from their environment, resulting in lower temperatures.

Related terms

Humidity: Humidity refers to the amount of moisture present in the air. Higher humidity levels can hinder or slow down evaporation since there is already plenty of moisture in the air.

Latent heat: Latent heat is the energy absorbed or released during a phase change, such as the heat energy absorbed when water evaporates. It does not result in a temperature change but is crucial for the process of evaporative cooling.

Transpiration:

Transpiration is the process by which plants release water vapor through their leaves. This evaporation of water from plant surfaces helps cool down the surrounding environment.