Which of the following factors increases the rate of evaporation?
I. An increase in surface area
II. A decrease in humidity

Both I and II

The correct answer is option 1. Both I and II.

Here's why each factor affects the rate of evaporation:

I. Increase in Surface Area:

Evaporation occurs at the surface of a liquid.

With a larger surface area, there are more molecules at the surface that can escape into the gas phase, leading to faster evaporation.

II. Decrease in Humidity:

Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air.

When the humidity is high, the air is already closer to being saturated with water vapor.

This saturation reduces the ability of the air to hold more water vapor from evaporation, slowing down the process.

Conversely, lower humidity provides more "space" for water vapor to be absorbed by the air, increasing the rate of evaporation.

Therefore, both increasing the surface area and decreasing the humidity contribute to a faster rate of evaporation.