The common term for the process of converting liquid to gas is "evaporation." This process occurs when molecules in a liquid gain sufficient energy to break free from the liquid's surface and enter the gas phase. Evaporation naturally occurs at any temperature, although it is more rapid at higher temperatures, where the energy available for molecular movement is greater. This process is an essential component of the water cycle, contributing to cloud formation and weather patterns. Evaporation also has practical applications, such as in drying clothes or cooling beverages, where it provides a cooling effect as the liquid evaporates.