How does evaporation cause cooling?

Evaporation causes cooling because when a liquid changes into vapor, it needs energy. This energy is taken from the surroundings or from the surface of the liquid in the form of heat.

1. During evaporation, the fast-moving particles (with higher kinetic energy) escape first.
2. The particles left behind have lower average kinetic energy, which means the temperature of the liquid decreases.
3. As a result, the surface and the nearby surroundings feel cooler.

Example: When we sweat, the water in sweat evaporates by taking heat from our skin, making us feel cool.