What process involves the transformation of liquid water into vapor?

The process that involves the transformation of liquid water into vapor is evaporation. During evaporation, water molecules at the surface of the liquid gain enough energy to overcome intermolecular forces and transition into the gas phase. This process can occur at any temperature, but it generally happens more quickly at higher temperatures, where more molecules have enough energy to escape into the air.

Evaporation is a key part of the water cycle, as it contributes to the formation of clouds and ultimately precipitation. This is distinct from other processes like condensation, which is the transformation of vapor back into liquid, or sublimation, which refers to the transition from solid to gas without passing through the liquid phase.