What is evaporation?

Evaporation is best defined as the process in which a liquid turns into a gas. This occurs when molecules within the liquid gain sufficient energy to break free from the attractions of other molecules, typically as a result of heat. This transition can happen at any temperature, although it occurs more rapidly at higher temperatures, as more molecules have the energy required to escape into the air as vapor.

The other definitions provided in the options do not accurately describe evaporation. The transition from solid to gas characterizes sublimation, while the transition from gas to solid defines deposition. Lastly, condensation is the opposite of evaporation, where gas transforms back into a liquid, often leading to precipitation. Therefore, the choice that identifies evaporation as the process of a liquid turning into a gas is the correct and precise definition.