What increases the rate of solvent evaporation during a reaction?

Increasing the temperature during a reaction significantly raises the rate of solvent evaporation. When the temperature is higher, the thermal energy of the solvent molecules also increases. This heightened energy allows more molecules to escape from the liquid phase into the vapor phase, overcoming intermolecular forces that hold them together in the liquid.

The relationship between temperature and evaporation can be observed in everyday scenarios, such as the accelerated drying of wet clothes on a warm day compared to a cold day. As solvent molecules gain energy, the overall rate of evaporation increases, leading to a faster turnover of vapor compared to lower temperatures.

In contrast, other factors either decrease the evaporation rate or do not provide a sufficient driving force for the process. For instance, decreasing the surface area limits the number of solvent molecules that can escape into the air at any given time, while increasing pressure usually compresses the molecules closer together, which can also reduce the likelihood of evaporation. Decreasing the volume of the solvent may concentrate the vapor but does not inherently enhance the rate of evaporation compared to the effect of temperature.