Yes, water can be turned into vapor without changing its temperature through a process called "evaporation." Evaporation is the transformation of a liquid into a gas, specifically occurring at the surface of the liquid.
The process of evaporation happens due to the kinetic energy of water molecules. Even at temperatures below the boiling point of water (100 degrees Celsius or 212 degrees Fahrenheit at sea level), some water molecules have enough energy to escape from the liquid phase and enter the gas phase. This occurs because the molecules in a liquid have a range of kinetic energies, and some reach the threshold required to break the intermolecular forces holding them together.
When the more energetic water molecules leave the liquid surface and enter the air as vapor, they are replaced by other molecules from within the liquid. This gradual process of evaporation continues until the water eventually reaches equilibrium with the surrounding environment, where the rate of evaporation matches the rate of condensation (gas molecules returning to the liquid phase).
Factors such as temperature, humidity, air pressure, and surface area influence the rate of evaporation. Higher temperatures generally increase the rate of evaporation, while factors like humidity (amount of moisture in the air) can affect how readily water molecules can escape into the surrounding air.
It's important to note that even though evaporation can occur without changing the temperature of the water, the average kinetic energy of the remaining water molecules decreases, which leads to a cooling effect. This is why evaporation is often associated with a sensation of cooling, such as when we feel cool after stepping out of a swimming pool or when sweat evaporates from our skin.