why does a thin layer of water evaporate quicker than a thicker one of the same surface area ?

Question

why does a thin layer of water evaporate quicker than a thicker one of the same surface area ?

In: Physics

Answer 1

Water also has a high specific heat, meaning it can absorb a lot of energy before it heats up. In the thicker layer of water, the water at the center is insulated from the heat source, and needs all the water closer to the sun to evaporate first before it has a chance to. This is the same reason why blankets work: energy has to pass through the insulating layers, and the more insulation you have, the less energy will pass through.