What is Condensation?
What is Condensation?
Condensation is a phase within the water cycle in which the gaseous form of water transitions into the liquid state. The water cycle is a process that shows how water moves throughout its different states within the Earth's atmosphere. Water vapor is the gaseous form of water and is one of three different states that water can take within our atmosphere. Evaporation is the opposite phase to condensation; it is when water in its liquid state transitions into a gas.
Water can take on three different states in the atmosphere which are solid, liquid, and gas. Gas, or steam, has a loose molecular structure in that molecules are dispersed over a large area of space and become gas at 100 ° C. Liquid, or water, has a tighter molecular structure than that of gas in that molecules are closer together over a smaller area of space. Water becomes liquid at 20 ° C. Solids, or ice, have an extremely tight molecular structure in that the molecules are packed tightly into small areas of space. Water becomes ice at 0 ° C.
There are four different types of condensation including dew, frost, fog, and clouds. Dew is a form of condensation that happens when water in the gaseous form collides with a cold surface which forms water droplets. Frost is a form of condensation that occurs when water in the gaseous form turns into crystallized ice particles. Fog is a form of condensation in which water drops or frost are dispersed in the atmosphere. A cloud is a form of condensation and is similar to fog in that it consists of water droplets or frost dispersed in the atmosphere, however, it differs in that it also requires that the air is oversaturated with water particles, therefore, making it much denser than fog.
Definition
It's the middle of summer, and the sun is shining. You have been helping your parents outside with yard work for the past hour, and you're sweating! After the work is done, you head inside to cool off in the air conditioning and grab a glass of water. Since you'll be going to the movies later, you decide to take a quick shower. You glance at yourself in the mirror before getting in, noticing that your face is slightly burnt.
After your shower, you take another quick look to see if your sunburn is any worse. But wait! You forgot to turn the fan on and the mirror is now covered with fog. You wipe a section with your hand and notice that there are small beads of water on the mirror. Where did the fog and beads of water come from?
Condensation is the process by which water vapor in the air is changed into liquid water. In other words, the water in the air, a gas known as water vapor, from your hot shower cooled when it met the surface of the cold mirror. This caused the water vapor to condense, or turn into its liquid form. You notice it as moisture or beads of water and fog that has formed on the mirror.
You can also think of condensation in terms of being the opposite of evaporation, or the process of a liquid turning into a gas. This happens when a pot of water is boiled on the stove. The steam, another form of water vapor, and bubbles you see in the boiling pot of water are evidence of the liquid being changed into gas.
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How Does Condensation Work?
Condensation is the process in which water in its gas form becomes liquid. Condensation occurs either by the cooling of air in the atmosphere so much that the droplets that are in their gas form turn to water or by the oversaturation of the molecules in the atmosphere becoming too heavy so they begin to fall like water.
Water condenses at the boiling point; this is the condensation point or dew point. The condensation point of water is 100 ° C or 212 ° F. Dew is a term we use to describe condensed water in a state of being rather than as a process. When the water in its gas form is warmer it is able to hold more water, therefore in hotter climates, the air will be more humid because there is more water being held in the atmosphere. Conversely, if the water in its gas form (also called water vapor) is colder there will be less water being held in the atmosphere, which then would fall as rain.
Condensation is all around us and is an important function of the water cycle. It is so important in fact, that we even have found ways to use this unique process outside of the natural world. For example, when we use an air conditioner there is a liquid that is being converted into a gas which in turn makes the atmosphere in the room cooler. This artificial condensation maker is called a condenser and is in many other machines we use on a fairly regular basis.
Condensation and the Water Cycle
The water cycle is one of many biogeochemical cycles that control the processes that are essential to life on Earth. The water cycle is the complete process that water goes through throughout our environment. This includes its movement through the atmosphere and throughout the Earth's surface. There are three states that water goes through and four main processes. The three states of water are:
- Solid
- Liquid
- Gaseous
The main processes included within the water cycle are evaporation, precipitation, condensation, and collection. Evaporation is when water is heated and taken directly from a water source. A type of evaporation called transpiration is when plants evaporate water they have taken from the ground through their leaves, and this accounts for about 90% of evaporation. Precipitation is when any state of water (solid, liquid, or gas) that is in the Earth's atmosphere returns to Earth. Condensation is when water in its gas state transforms into its liquid state. It is the opposite cycle of evaporation. Collection is when the water collects in a body of water such as the ocean or a lake.
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Condensation Examples
Indoors: Foggy Window
Condensation can occur indoors on our everyday objects. One example of this can be seen on a foggy window. In colder months, we can visibly see water droplets form on windows because it is warm inside of our homes and cold outside.
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Outdoors: Dewy Grass
Condensation can occur outdoors in the environment. One example of this is the dewy morning grass. At night, temperatures drop and so do the water droplets in the atmosphere. When the sun begins to come up, the atmosphere begins to heat up and this creates a shift in molecules which makes the grass wet.
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In the Atmosphere: Clouds
Condensation occurs in the atmosphere as well. The most common example of this would be clouds. When water, in its gas state, rises into the atmosphere, it mixes with particles of various things like dust to form a droplet. Many droplets combined together form a cloud. This process of droplets forming is called coalescence.
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Lesson Summary
Condensation is a phase within the water cycle in which the gaseous form of water, or water vapor, transitions into the liquid state of water. Water can take on three different states within the atmosphere, these are solid, liquid, and gas. There are four different types of condensation which are dew, frost, fog, and clouds. The water cycle has four main processes, which are evaporation, precipitation, condensation, and collection. Water condenses at the boiling point of water which is equal to 100 ° C. Condensation can occur anywhere in our everyday lives from inside our homes to outside in our yards.
Condensation Explained
The condensation point of water is the same as the boiling point of water. This occurs at 212 degrees Fahrenheit or 100 degrees Celsius. As you increase water up to and beyond 100 degrees Celsius, the water will boil. If you reverse the process and the cool water vapor down to and below 100 degrees Celsius, it will condense and return to liquid form.
While condensation occurs at all temperatures between 32 Fahrenheit (or 0 Celsius) and 212 F (or 100 Celsius), it is most noticeable when there is a large temperature difference between an object and the atmosphere. For example, you may see beads of water on the outside of a bucket of ice cream on a hot day. In this case, you can see condensation in action.
However, three hours later, that bucket of ice cream is now melted and the water on the outside may be gone. But, condensation is still happening, just at a much smaller and slower rate, so it may not be noticeable. Keep in mind that there is always water in the air, even though we do not always 'see' evidence of it.
The condensation of water can be shown on a pressure temperature graph.
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Examples
A glass of water
The most common example of condensation is a cold glass of water on a hot day. The cold liquid is on the inside of the glass, but there are also beads of water on the outside of the glass. This is not the same water. The beads of water on the outside of a water glass are from water vapor in the air cooling off and condensing onto the glass.
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Planes
As planes cruise across the sky, their engines expel water vapor. From the ground, we can see the trails they leave behind. This is also a form of condensation. The water vapor from the engine is extremely hot, yet the outside air at 35,000 feet is about -40 degrees Fahrenheit. The rapid cooling of water vapor from the plane engine causes the water vapor to condense and cause cloud formation, or vapor trails. In fact, the formation of clouds themselves is caused by condensation of water vapor in the atmosphere condensing into a liquid state.
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Lesson Summary
Condensation occurs when the water vapor in the air is cooled, changing from a gas to a liquid. This process can take place at various temperatures between 32 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit, or 0 and 100 degrees Celsius. It is most noticeable when there is a significant difference in the object and the temperature of the atmosphere. Some examples of condensation include sweat on a bucket of ice cream, beads of water on the outside of a cold glass of water, and the vapor trails we often see planes leave behind in the sky.
The Condensation Process
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- An object has a significant difference in temperature from the outside air (think ice water).
- Water vapor in the air comes in contact with the object and cools off.
- As the vapor cools, it condenses to its liquid state.
Learning Outcomes
Subsequent to studying this video lesson on condensation, you might display your preparedness to:
- Recount the definition of condensation
- Contrast condensation and evaporation
- Provide an example of condensation
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Video Transcript
Definition
It's the middle of summer, and the sun is shining. You have been helping your parents outside with yard work for the past hour, and you're sweating! After the work is done, you head inside to cool off in the air conditioning and grab a glass of water. Since you'll be going to the movies later, you decide to take a quick shower. You glance at yourself in the mirror before getting in, noticing that your face is slightly burnt.
After your shower, you take another quick look to see if your sunburn is any worse. But wait! You forgot to turn the fan on and the mirror is now covered with fog. You wipe a section with your hand and notice that there are small beads of water on the mirror. Where did the fog and beads of water come from?
Condensation is the process by which water vapor in the air is changed into liquid water. In other words, the water in the air, a gas known as water vapor, from your hot shower cooled when it met the surface of the cold mirror. This caused the water vapor to condense, or turn into its liquid form. You notice it as moisture or beads of water and fog that has formed on the mirror.
You can also think of condensation in terms of being the opposite of evaporation, or the process of a liquid turning into a gas. This happens when a pot of water is boiled on the stove. The steam, another form of water vapor, and bubbles you see in the boiling pot of water are evidence of the liquid being changed into gas.
Condensation Explained
The condensation point of water is the same as the boiling point of water. This occurs at 212 degrees Fahrenheit or 100 degrees Celsius. As you increase water up to and beyond 100 degrees Celsius, the water will boil. If you reverse the process and the cool water vapor down to and below 100 degrees Celsius, it will condense and return to liquid form.
While condensation occurs at all temperatures between 32 Fahrenheit (or 0 Celsius) and 212 F (or 100 Celsius), it is most noticeable when there is a large temperature difference between an object and the atmosphere. For example, you may see beads of water on the outside of a bucket of ice cream on a hot day. In this case, you can see condensation in action.
However, three hours later, that bucket of ice cream is now melted and the water on the outside may be gone. But, condensation is still happening, just at a much smaller and slower rate, so it may not be noticeable. Keep in mind that there is always water in the air, even though we do not always 'see' evidence of it.
The condensation of water can be shown on a pressure temperature graph.
|
Examples
A glass of water
The most common example of condensation is a cold glass of water on a hot day. The cold liquid is on the inside of the glass, but there are also beads of water on the outside of the glass. This is not the same water. The beads of water on the outside of a water glass are from water vapor in the air cooling off and condensing onto the glass.
|
Planes
As planes cruise across the sky, their engines expel water vapor. From the ground, we can see the trails they leave behind. This is also a form of condensation. The water vapor from the engine is extremely hot, yet the outside air at 35,000 feet is about -40 degrees Fahrenheit. The rapid cooling of water vapor from the plane engine causes the water vapor to condense and cause cloud formation, or vapor trails. In fact, the formation of clouds themselves is caused by condensation of water vapor in the atmosphere condensing into a liquid state.
|
Lesson Summary
Condensation occurs when the water vapor in the air is cooled, changing from a gas to a liquid. This process can take place at various temperatures between 32 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit, or 0 and 100 degrees Celsius. It is most noticeable when there is a significant difference in the object and the temperature of the atmosphere. Some examples of condensation include sweat on a bucket of ice cream, beads of water on the outside of a cold glass of water, and the vapor trails we often see planes leave behind in the sky.
The Condensation Process
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- An object has a significant difference in temperature from the outside air (think ice water).
- Water vapor in the air comes in contact with the object and cools off.
- As the vapor cools, it condenses to its liquid state.
Learning Outcomes
Subsequent to studying this video lesson on condensation, you might display your preparedness to:
- Recount the definition of condensation
- Contrast condensation and evaporation
- Provide an example of condensation
To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account
- Activities
- FAQs
Condensation Activity 1
1. Obtain two clear plastic cups.
2. Fill the first plastic cup halfway with hot (steaming) water.
3. Place the second cup on top of the first cup so that the rims of both cups are aligned.
4. Place an ice cube on top of the second cup.
5. Hypothesize where condensation will occur (sample answers: inside of the first cup, outside of the second cup, etc.)
Expected observation: Condensation will occur inside of the second cup. Steam is the gaseous form of water. As the steam in the first cup rises, it reaches the second cup where the air is cooler. Upon reaching cooler air, steam cools below the boiling point of water and a phase change occurs that produces droplets of liquid water.
Condensation Activity 2
1. Fill a clear plastic cup about halfway with water and place in the freezer.
2. After 10 minutes, remove the plastic cup from the freezer and place on a table or counter.
3. Hypothesize where condensation will occur (sample answers: inside of the cup, outside of the cup, etc.)
Expected observation: Condensation will occur outside of the cup. The air around us is full of moisture. Moisture is water in vapor (gas) form. As air circulates, some of the water vapor comes in contact with the colder air surrounding the cup. Upon reaching cooler air, the water vapor cools below the boiling point of water and a phase change occurs that produces droplets of liquid water. Note: Some condensation may also occur inside the cup as the inside of the cup is cooler than the surrounding air, but more noticeable condensation should occur outside the cup because a greater portion of that outside surface is more directly exposed to the surrounding air.
What is condensation made of?
Condensation is made of water that has cooled and changed from the gaseous state, known as water vapor, to the liquid state. This point is called the condensation point and it is reached at 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius)
What are the 4 types of condensation?
Dew- water droplets on exposed surfaces after a cool night
Frost- frozen water droplets on exposed surfaces after a freezing night
Clouds- water vapor that has condensed in the sky
Fog- low lying clouds
What is condensation explain with example?
Condensation is the process where gas has cooled back into a liquid form. An example is a glass of ice-cold soda sitting outside on a hot summer day. The glass will form water droplets on the outside of the glass. Dew on the grass on a cool summer morning is another example.
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