The process that describes the change from a liquid to a gas is called evaporation or boiling, depending on the conditions. Evaporation occurs at the liquid's surface and can happen at any temperature, while boiling occurs throughout the liquid at a specific temperature, known as the boiling point. During these processes, heat energy is absorbed, allowing liquid molecules to overcome intermolecular forces and escape into the gas phase, becoming vapor. This phenomenon is essential in various natural and industrial processes, such as the water cycle and distillation.