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Condensation is the change of the physical state of aggregation (or simply state) of matter from gaseous phase into liquid phase.[1] When the transition happens from the gaseous phase into the solid phase directly, bypassing the liquid phase the change is called deposition, which is the opposite of sublimation.
Condensation commonly occurs when a vapor is cooled to its dew point, but the dewpoint can also be reached through compression. The condensed vapour is called a condensate, the laboratory or the industrial equipment used for condensation is called a condenser.
The science of studying the thermodynamic properties of moist air and the interrelationships between these in order to analyze, and predict properties by changing in the conditions of moist air is called psychrometry. The interrelationship can be graphically represented, and prediction carried out graphically by the psychrometric chart Most people think the water is condensation, but condensation is only the process of change.
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Condensation of water in nature
Water vapor that naturally condenses on cold surfaces into liquid water is called dew. Water vapor will only condense onto another surface when the temperature of that surface is cooler than the temperature of the water vapor. The water molecule brings a parcel of heat with it. The temperature of the atmosphere also rises very slightly. In order to have condensed, the molecule tends to be relatively low in kinetic energy. Since the atmosphere has lost a slow-moving particle, the average speed of the molecules in the atmosphere has increased. Therefore, its temperature has also risen.
Also, a net condensation of water vapor occurs on surfaces when the ice from water vapor, is a type of condensation. Frost and snow are examples of deposition.
Condensation in buildings
Condensation is the most common form of dampness encountered in buildings. In buildings the internal air can have a high level of relative humidity due to the activity of the occupants (e.g. cooking, drying clothes, breathing etc.). When this air comes into contact with cold surfaces such as windows and cold walls it can condense, causing dampness.[2]
Applications of condensation
Condensation is a crucial component of distillation, an important application in laboratory and industrial chemistry application.
Because condensation is a naturally occurring phenomenon, it can often be used to generate water in large quantities for human use. In fact, there are many structures that are made solely for the purpose of collecting water from condensation, such as fog fences, air wells and dew ponds. Such system can often be used to retain soil moisture in areas where active desertification is occurring. In fact, certain organizations use education about water condensers in efforts to effectively aid such areas.[3]
References
- ^ International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. "condensation in atmospheric chemistry". Compendium of Chemical Terminology Internet edition.
- ^ http://www.buildingpreservation.com/Condensation.htm Building Preservation (Condensatireiron - the basics)
- ^ FogQuest - Fog Collection / Water Harvesting Projects - Welcome
See also
- Kelvin equation
- Phase diagram
- Phase transition
- Condenser (heat transfer)
- Surface condenser
- Bose–Einstein condensate
External links
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From To Solid Liquid Gas Plasma Solid Solid-Solid Transformation Melting Sublimation - Liquid Freezing N/A Boiling/Evaporation - Gas Deposition Condensation N/A Ionization Plasma - - Recombination/Deionization N/A
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- This page was last modified on 26 August 2008, at 02:34.
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