What term describes the process when liquids evaporate into the air?

The process when liquids evaporate into the air is referred to as vaporization. This term encompasses the transition of a substance from its liquid state to its gaseous state, which occurs when the molecules in the liquid gain enough energy to break free from the surface and enter the atmosphere as vapor.

In the context of this question, vaporization includes any instance of a liquid turning into vapor, whether it occurs at the boiling point or at any temperature, which is essential in understanding various nail products that may contain solvents or other evaporative components. The other terms do not describe this process accurately.

Condensation refers to the process where vapor turns back into a liquid, vapors describe the gaseous state of a substance typically at lower concentrations, and precipitation relates to forms of water falling from clouds, such as rain, rather than the evaporation of liquids. Understanding these definitions is crucial for grasping the science behind nail care products and their application.