A puddle of water is left on a table at room temperature and slowly evaporates. Which of the following statements correctly describes the process of evaporation at the molecular level?
Water molecules from any part of the puddle can escape if they have enough kinetic energy.
All water molecules at the surface of the puddle have the same kinetic energy and escape at the same rate.
Only molecules at or near the surface with high kinetic energy can overcome intermolecular attractive forces and escape.
As evaporation occurs, the average kinetic energy of the remaining molecules increases.
528 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 2.2 Thermal properties and temperature, covering 2.2.1 Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases, 2.2.2a Internal energy and temperature, 2.2.2b Specific heat capacity, 2.2.3a Melting, boiling, condensation and solidification, 2.2.3b Evaporation, and 2.2.3c Cooling by evaporation. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.