The correct answer is option 1: an increase of surface area.

Evaporation is the process by which a liquid changes to a gas by gaining energy from its surroundings. Several factors can affect the rate of evaporation.

Option 1 states that an increase in surface area leads to an increase in the rate of evaporation. This is because a larger surface area allows for more molecules in the liquid to be exposed to the surrounding air, increasing the chances of evaporation. For example, if you spread wet clothes out on a clothesline, they will dry faster compared to if they were all bunched up.

Option 2, an increase in humidity, actually slows down the rate of evaporation. When the air is already saturated with moisture, it becomes more difficult for water molecules to escape from the liquid into the air.

Option 3, a decrease in wind speed, also slows down evaporation. Wind helps to remove the water vapor from the surface, allowing more molecules to evaporate. When there is less wind, the water molecules have a harder time escaping, leading to a slower rate of evaporation.

Option 4, a decrease in temperature, can also slow down evaporation. This is because lower temperatures mean the liquid has less energy, making it harder for