What occurs during vaporization?

During vaporization, a substance absorbs heat from its surroundings, which provides the energy necessary for molecules to break free from the liquid state and transition into the gaseous state. This process occurs when the temperature of the liquid reaches its boiling point, where the kinetic energy of the molecules increases sufficiently to overcome intermolecular forces.

The conversion of liquid to gas is a classic example of a phase change that requires energy input; hence, the statement that a substance absorbs heat is a fundamental characteristic of vaporization. In contrast, the other processes mentioned—such as a substance losing energy or changing states from solid to liquid—are indicative of different phase changes that involve different energy dynamics. For instance, losing energy would be associated with condensation, while changing from solid to liquid refers to melting or fusion, which also involves energy absorption but is a distinct change from liquid to gas.