Breakthrough Discovery: Light Can Evaporate Water Directly

Scientists at MIT have discovered a new phenomenon called the “photo molecular effect,” where photons from the Sun can evaporate water directly, without heating it up first.

Implications

• Revolutionize desalination plants, making clean water more accessible and affordable
• Transform industrial drying processes, saving energy and resources
• Enable light-powered cooling systems for homes and wearable devices
• Enhance understanding of the world’s water cycle, cloud formation, and rainfall patterns

How it Works

Photons from the Sun knock out entire clusters of water molecules, requiring less energy than traditional heat-based evaporation. The surrounding air provides the necessary energy to break up the clusters.

Potential Applications

• Light-powered desalination plants
• Industrial dryers that work faster and more efficiently
• Cooling systems for homes and wearable devices
• Enhanced climate models and understanding of the world’s water cycle

Vocabulary Quiz

Choose the correct answer for each question:

1. What does the term “phenomenon” refer to in the article?
   • A scientific theory
   • A newly discovered event or process
   • A type of scientific instrument
   • A type of energy source
2. What is the primary function of the “surrounding air” in the photo molecular effect?
   • To heat up the water molecules
   • To provide the necessary energy to break up the water clusters
   • To reflect the photons from the Sun
   • To slow down the evaporation process
3. What is one of the potential applications of the photo molecular effect in the field of climate science?
   • Developing more efficient desalination plants
   • Enhancing climate models and understanding of the world’s water cycle
   • Creating wearable devices that can cool the wearer
   • Transforming industrial drying processes
4. What is the term used to describe the process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater to make it drinkable?
   • Evaporation
   • Desalination
   • Condensation
   • Purification
5. What is the term used to describe the movement of water from the Earth’s surface to the atmosphere through plants?
   • Respiration
   • Transpiration
   • Evaporation
   • Photosynthesis

Answer Key:

1. b) A newly discovered event or process
2. b) To provide the necessary energy to break up the water clusters
3. b) Enhancing climate models and understanding of the world’s water cycle
4. b) Desalination
5. b) Transpiration (Note: This answer is not explicitly mentioned in the article, but it is a related concept)

The Passive Voice with Modal Verbs

Quiz Time!

Choose the correct answer for each question:

1. According to the text, desalination plants ____________________ more accessible and affordable.
• a) will be
• b) can be
• c) are
• d) have been
2. The discovery ____________________ to enhance our understanding of the world’s water cycle.
• a) may
• b) can
• c) will
• d) could
3. Light-powered cooling systems for homes and wearable devices ____________________.
• a) are enabled
• b) can be enabled
• c) may be enabled
• d) have been enabled
4. Industrial drying processes ____________________ with the help of this discovery.
• a) can be transformed
• b) may be transformed
• c) will be transformed
• d) are transformed
5. The discovery ____________________ to revolutionize desalination plants.
• a) can
• b) may
• c) will
• d) is going to

Answer Key

1. b) can be
2. a) may
3. b) can be enabled
4. a) can be transformed
5. a) can