How does the vapor pressure of a liquid relate to its rate of evaporation?

The correct answer states that the greater the vapor pressure, the faster a liquid will evaporate. Vapor pressure is a measure of a liquid's tendency to evaporate, reflecting the amount of vapor (gas) present over the liquid in a closed system. When the vapor pressure is high, it indicates that a significant number of molecules have enough energy to escape into the vapor phase.

As more molecules break away from the liquid and enter the vapor state, the rate of evaporation of the liquid increases. This correlation highlights that liquids with high vapor pressures will lose their mass to the atmosphere more rapidly than those with low vapor pressures, leading to a faster evaporation rate. Understanding this relationship is crucial in fields such as firefighting, where managing the properties of liquids can significantly affect fire behavior and control strategies.