Statement I : While putting clothes for drying up, we spread them out. Statement I : The rate of evaporation increases with an increase in surface area.

Statement I is true as spreading clothes is a common practice to ensure they dry quickly [2]. Statement II is also true because evaporation is a surface phenomenon; increasing the surface area allows more water molecules to escape into the air simultaneously [2]. When clothes are spread out, the exposed surface area increases, which directly accelerates the rate of evaporation compared to when they are crumpled [2]. This increased exposure also facilitates better air circulation, allowing saturated air near the fabric to be replaced by unsaturated air, further aiding the drying process [1]. Therefore, Statement II provides the scientific reasoning for the action described in Statement I, making it the correct explanation. Other factors influencing this process include temperature, humidity, and wind speed [3].

Sources

1. [2] Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 7: Heat Transfer in Nature > FASCINATING FACTS > p. 98
2. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 24: Hydrological Cycle (Water Cycle) > Factors Affecting Rate of Evaporation > p. 328
3. [3] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 10: Water in the Atmosphere > EVAPORATION AND CONDENSATION > p. 86