Condensation

Condensation, in physics, process of reduction of matter into a denser form, as in the liquefaction of vapor or steam. Condensation is the result of the reduction of temperature by the removal of latent heat of evaporation, the liquid product being known as condensate.

The removal of heat shrinks the volume of the vapor and decreases the velocity of, and the distance between, molecules. According to the kinetic theory of behavior of matter, the loss of energy will lead to the transformation of the gas into a liquid condensate. Condensation is an important part of the process of distillation and in the operation of steam engines, where exhaust steam is converted back into water by a device called a condenser.

In meteorology, both the formation of clouds and the precipitation of dew, rain, and snow are known as condensation.

In chemistry, condensation is a reaction involving the union of atoms in the same or different molecules. The process often leads to the elimination of a simple molecule such as water or alcohol to form a new and more complex compound, often of greater molecular weight.