How does the atmosphere cool when liquid water evaporates?

When liquid water evaporates, it absorbs energy from the liquid water itself. This process is known as latent heat of vaporization, where energy is required to transform water from its liquid state to a gaseous state. As water molecules gain enough energy from the heat of the liquid water or surrounding environment, they overcome intermolecular forces and escape into the atmosphere as vapor.

The absorption of energy during evaporation is critical because it results in cooling the remaining liquid water. In essence, the energy absorbed by the water from its surroundings causes a decrease in temperature in the water, highlighting how evaporation leads to a cooling effect in the atmosphere. This process is also important in various meteorological phenomena, such as cloud formation and weather patterns, where heat and energy dynamics significantly impact temperature regulation.