Why does a puddle disappear faster on a warm day than a cold day?

Why does a puddle disappear faster on a warm day than a cold day?

• A. Condensation rate increases
• B. Ground absorbs more water
• C. Evaporation rate is higher at higher temperature
• D. Evaporation rate decreases

Answer: (C)

When a puddle dries up, evaporation is the key process. Warmer temperatures supply more energy to water molecules, so more of them at the surface gain enough energy to break away into the air as vapor. That higher evaporation rate makes the puddle disappear faster on a warm day compared to a cold day. Condensation would add water back, not remove it, and while ground absorption can remove some water, it doesn’t explain why warmth speeds evaporation. Saying evaporation rate decreases would contradict what we observe.

When a puddle dries up, evaporation is the key process. Warmer temperatures supply more energy to water molecules, so more of them at the surface gain enough energy to break away into the air as vapor. That higher evaporation rate makes the puddle disappear faster on a warm day compared to a cold day. Condensation would add water back, not remove it, and while ground absorption can remove some water, it doesn’t explain why warmth speeds evaporation. Saying evaporation rate decreases would contradict what we observe.