What does vaporization refer to in terms of state change?

Vaporization specifically refers to the process by which a substance changes from a liquid state to a gaseous state. This transition can occur through two primary processes—evaporation and boiling. When a liquid is heated, its molecules gain energy and move more vigorously, eventually overcoming intermolecular forces and escaping into the air as gas. This phenomenon is critical in various applications, including fire protection, where understanding how materials combust can directly impact firefighting tactics and safety protocols.

The other choices do not describe vaporization correctly: the solid to liquid state change is called melting, gas to solid is known as deposition, and liquid to solid is referred to as freezing. Understanding these distinctions is key in comprehending the principles of state changes in fire protection and other related fields.