Difference between perspiration and evaporation
Perspiration is the physiological process of water loss from living surfaces, while evaporation is the loss of water from any surface.
Comparative chart
Perspiration | Evaporation | |
Process type | Physiological | Physical |
Occur in | In plants | On any free surface |
Required strength | Vapor pressure, osmotic pressure | No force |
Speed | Slowly | Fast |
Regulators | Carbon dioxide, pH, hormones, and light. | No regulator |
Trading factors | Relative humidity, wind or air movement, type of plant, temperature and availability of water in the soil. | Temperature, surface, concentration of the evaporating substance, pressure, intermolecular forces, air flow. |
What is perspiration?
Perspiration is the physiological process of releasing water from plants through small openings in their leaves or stomata. Plants can control water loss by opening and closing their stomata, which also helps them survive in hot summer weather. The water turns into vapors and is released into the atmosphere. Perspiration is an essential process of plants. It also includes a process in which the loss of water occurs in liquid form in the leaves and stem of plants; this process is called guttation. Various studies have found that 10% of atmospheric humidity is the result of transpiration from plants, while the remaining 90% results from evaporation from oceans, seas, and other bodies of water. The transpiration process depends on the humidity or humidity of the air and also on the amount of soil in which the plants are planted. Water is absorbed by plants and trees through their roots and is transported to all their parts as food from where it is lost as perspiration. Different atmospheric factors affect the transpiration process, for example, temperature, relative humidity, air or wind movement, the availability of soil moisture and the type of plants. The rate of perspiration increases as the temperature increases, especially during the growing season because the air is warmer in the growing season. The increase in temperature causes the plant cells that control the stomata where water is released into the atmosphere to open, while a cooler temperature causes the openings to close. When the relative humidity of the air increases, the rate of perspiration decreases. It is easier for water to evaporate in dry air than in more saturated air. Similarly, more air movement around the plant or the wind will result in a higher rate of perspiration. If there is no wind, the atmospheric air around the blade may not move much, raising the humidity of the air around the blade. When the humidity is decreasing, the plants begin to undergo premature aging, which will result in the loss of leaves and will transpire less water. The transpiration rate also depends on the type of plants. Some plants that grow in arid regions, such as cacti and succulents, they conserve precious water by transpiring less water than other plants. The transpiration rate also depends on the type of plants. Some plants that grow in arid regions, such as cacti and succulents, conserve precious water by transpiring less water than other plants. The transpiration rate also depends on the type of plants. Some plants that grow in arid regions, such as cacti and succulents, conserve precious water by transpiring less water than other plants.
Evaporation is the process of releasing water from different bodies of water. Water changes from a liquid to a gaseous form and rises into the air. It happens only if there is energy available to convert water into water vapor. Solar energy drives the evaporation of water from lakes, oceans, moisture into the ground and other water sources. Evaporation occurs when the surface of the liquid is exposed and allows molecules to escape and form water vapors. These vapors then form clouds. Different factors affect the evaporation process. If the air already has a high concentration of the substance that evaporates, the substance will evaporate more slowly. The air flow rate also affects the evaporation rate. If fresh air moves over the substance all the time, the concentration of the substance in the air is less likely to increase over time. encourages faster evaporation. This is the result of the boundary layer on the evaporation surface decreasing with flow velocity, decreasing the diffusion distance in the stagnant layer. Intermolecular forces also affect the speed of the evaporation process. The stronger these forces that hold molecules together in a liquid state, the more energy must be obtained to escape. Similarly, the pressure, surface area, and temperature of the substance also affect the rate of evaporation. decreasing the diffusion distance in the stagnant layer. Intermolecular forces also affect the speed of the evaporation process. The stronger these forces that hold molecules together in a liquid state, the more energy must be obtained to escape. Similarly, the pressure, surface area, and temperature of the substance also affect the rate of evaporation. decreasing the diffusion distance in the stagnant layer. Intermolecular forces also affect the speed of the evaporation process. The stronger these forces that hold molecules together in a liquid state, the more energy must be obtained to escape. Similarly, the pressure, surface area, and temperature of the substance also affect the rate of evaporation.
Perspiration vs. Evaporation
- Both perspiration and evaporation are important to the water cycle.
- The process of releasing water into the air through perspiration and evaporation is called evapotranspiration.
- Perspiration is a physiological process of loss of water from plants to the air, while evaporation is a physical process of loss of water from the surface to the air.
- Perspiration is present in plants naturally, while evaporation begins when energy is available for the loss of water in the form of heat.
- The amount of water that passes into the air depends on the moisture content of the soil in which the plant is planted and on the humidity of the air in the case of transpiration, while it depends on the heat in the case of evaporation.