What process involves the conversion of water from a liquid state to gas?

The process that involves the conversion of water from a liquid state to gas is known as evaporation. Evaporation occurs when molecules in the liquid state gain enough energy, usually from heat, to overcome intermolecular forces and transition into the gas phase. This process can happen at any temperature, but it is typically more significant at higher temperatures where more molecules have the necessary energy to escape the surface of the liquid.

In contrast, condensation is the process by which gas returns to a liquid state, typically due to a decrease in temperature or an increase in pressure, causing gas particles to come together and form a liquid. Freezing refers to the transition from liquid water to solid ice as the temperature drops, resulting in a loss of energy and a more ordered atomic structure. Solidification is another term for freezing, signifying the change of a substance from a liquid to a solid state. Therefore, evaporation is the correct choice since it specifically describes the mechanism of water turning from a liquid to a gas.