Which surface temperature would promote the most rapid evaporation?

The choice of 80 degrees represents an optimal surface temperature for promoting rapid evaporation due to the following reasons. As the temperature increases, the kinetic energy of water molecules also increases, causing them to move faster. This increased movement means that a greater number of water molecules have the energy to escape from the liquid phase into the vapor phase, thereby enhancing the rate of evaporation.

At temperatures closer to 90 degrees, evaporation does continue to increase; however, the higher temperature may also lead to some other factors, such as increased humidity in the air or a greater potential for heat losses through other means, which could affect the net rate of evaporation. While 70 degrees is also conducive, it does not reach the enhanced energy state that 80 degrees provides.

Therefore, 80 degrees is the ideal balance, allowing for efficient evaporation without reaching so high that the effects of other factors mitigate that efficiency.