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By condensation or precipitation means the change of state of matter From a gaseous state initial to one liquid, from the variation of its pressure conditions and temperature. In that sense, it is the reverse process of evaporation.
Condensation implies a greater proximity between the particles of the substance, which in turn implies a lower mobility of the same, product of an energy waste. If this process is induced by an increase in pressure, it will be called liquefaction.
See also: Examples of Condensation, Fusion, Solidification, Evaporation and Sublimation
Examples of condensation
Dew. The decrease in ambient temperature during the early morning allows the condensation of water vapor in the atmosphere on exposed surfaces, where it becomes drops of water known as dew. As soon as the temperature increases throughout the day, said dew will evaporate and recover its gaseous form.
The water cycle. The water steam In hot air, it normally rises to the upper layers of the atmosphere, where it runs into segments of cold air and loses its gaseous form, condensing into rain clouds that will drop it back into a liquid state on the earth.
The "sweating" of cold drinks. Being at a temperature lower than the environment, the surface of a can or bottle filled with cold soda receives moisture from the environment and condenses it into droplets commonly referred to as "sweat."
The water from the air conditioners. It is not that these devices produce water, but that they collect it from the surrounding air, much colder than outside, and condense it inside you. Then it must be expelled through a drainage channel.
Industrial gas handling. Many flammable gases, such as butane or propane, are put under great pressure to bring them into their liquid form, which makes them much easier to transport and handle. Once exposed to the environment, however, they regain their gaseous condition and can feed circuits of various kinds, such as in refrigerators or kitchens.
Fog on the windshield. When driving through a fog bank, you will notice that the windshield fills with water droplets, like very light rain. This is due to the contact of water vapor with the surface, which, being colder, favors its condensation.
Fogging of mirrors. Given the coldness of their surface, mirrors and glass are ideal receptors for condensation of water vapor, as occurs when taking a hot shower.
Obtaining chemicals. Condensation is often used as a method to force certain gases obtained in chemical reactions to become liquids, thus preventing them from getting lost when dispersed in the atmosphere. To do this, they are passed through specially cooled pipes, in which the gas condenses and precipitates in another container.
How aerosols work. The substances contained in aerosol cans: paints, pesticides, etc., are inside in a gaseous state, subjected to a certain pressure (for this reason it is advisable to heat or puncture the containers). Once the button is pressed, the gas is released under pressure and, in contact with the atmosphere, recovers its liquid consistency.
Fogging of diving goggles. In a similar way to what happens when taking a hot shower, the air contained between the glass of the diving goggles and our face contains water vapor product of the perspiration of the face and the environment from which it came, and when being under the water (whose temperature is lower than air), condenses on the glass forming a visible film.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). One of the substances derived from petroleum is this hydrocarbon mixture Gaseous extremely easy to liquefy, that is to say, to turn into liquids when increasing the pressure of its container. That's where its name comes from, of course.
Liquid Nitrogen from Cryogenics. Under significant pressure and at a temperature of -195.8 ° C, nitrogen gas becomes a colorless and odorless liquid, capable of causing burns due to its extremely low temperature. It is extremely useful for the cryogenic industry.
The vapor of breath. If we breathe in front of a glass, or we breathe in an environment of low temperature and high humidity, we can see the water vapor as tiny droplets in the first case or a white smoke in the second. This is because the air in our lungs is warmer than glass or cold vapor in the environment, so it condenses and becomes visible.
The kerolox. Used in the aeronautical and space travel industry, oxygen subjected to enormous pressures obtains its liquid form and becomes a very powerful oxidant and reducer, which makes it ideal as an oxidizer in rocket propulsion reactions.
Extra heat in humid environments. This sensation, which prevents our skin from cooling down by sweating, is the product of the condensation on it of water vapor from a particularly hot environment, thus transmitting an additional amount of heat to our body (colder than the surrounding air).
