In which process does the surrounding air cool due to heat being taken from it?

The correct answer is evaporation. In the process of evaporation, a liquid absorbs heat from its surroundings as it transitions into a vapor. This absorption of heat energy from the air results in a cooling effect on the surrounding environment. For example, when sweat evaporates from the skin, it takes heat with it, leading to a cooling sensation.

Conduction involves the transfer of heat between materials in direct contact with each other, which does not specifically relate to air cooling. Condensation, on the other hand, is the process where vapor turns into liquid, releasing heat into the surroundings, which means it would not lead to a cooling effect on the air. Freezing is the process where a liquid turns into a solid, which also typically involves the release of heat rather than a cooling effect on the surrounding air. Therefore, evaporation is the process where heat is taken from the surrounding air, leading to cooling.