What is the difference between evaporation and boiling?
Evaporation and boiling both convert liquid to gas, but occur in different ways. Evaporation takes place at the surface across a range of temperatures. Boiling is distinguished by vapor bubbles forming and growing within the liquid under suitable pressure conditions.
Vapor pressure and energy
Liquid molecules have a distribution of energies, and sufficiently energetic surface molecules can escape. Their departure can cool the remaining liquid. Boiling occurs when vapor pressure reaches the surrounding pressure. Water's boiling temperature is therefore not a universal fixed value: it is lower at high altitude and can be higher in a pressurized vessel.
What changes the rate?
Surface area, airflow, temperature, and ambient water vapor affect evaporation rate. Laundry dries more slowly in humid conditions. When a pure liquid boils at constant pressure, added energy can drive the phase change instead of raising temperature. The white cloud above hot water mostly consists of condensed droplets; gaseous water vapor itself is invisible.