Why does food dry out if you leave it in a hot oven?

Food dries out in a hot oven primarily due to the evaporation of moisture. As the temperature rises, water within the food heats up and turns to steam, which escapes into the oven. If the cooking time is too long or the temperature too high, this moisture loss can lead to dry, overcooked food. Additionally, the dry heat of the oven can further exacerbate moisture loss, intensifying the drying effect.