Rainwater may approximate turning into gas through the process of evaporation. Evaporation occurs when water molecules at the surface of a liquid absorb energy from their surroundings and gain enough kinetic energy to escape into the air as water vapor. When rainwater falls onto the ground or other surfaces, it forms puddles and bodies of water. As these water bodies are exposed to the sun's heat and other sources of energy, the water molecules on their surfaces gain enough energy to evaporate and become water vapor. The rate of evaporation depends on several factors, including temperature, humidity, wind speed, and the surface area of the water body.