Evaporation rate increases with temperature and surface area

Steps:

• Evaporation rate depends on temperature (higher temp increases molecular kinetic energy for faster escape) and surface area (larger area exposes more molecules to air).
• Option A: 20°C, 50 cm² (lowest temp, smallest area).
• Option B: 20°C, 100 cm² (low temp, larger area).
• Option C: 25°C, 50 cm² (higher temp, small area).
• Option D: 25°C, 100 cm² (highest temp, largest area) maximizes both factors.

Why D is correct:

• D has the highest temperature and largest surface area, so evaporation rate is greatest per the formula rate ∝ area × f(temperature), where f increases exponentially with temp.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Lowest temp and smallest area reduce rate most.
• B: Larger area than A but low temp limits rate below C and D.
• C: Higher temp than A/B but small area makes rate less than D.

Final answer: D