written by Adeel Abbas
The key difference between evaporation and condensation is the transformation of a liquid into a gas (evaporation) versus the transformation of a gas into a liquid (condensation).
When it comes to the difference between evaporation and condensation, it’s important to understand the different processes involved in each. Evaporation is the process of a liquid turning into a gas, while condensation is the process of gas turning into a liquid. In order to understand these processes better, let’s use water as an example.
When water is heated, it starts to evaporate. This means that the water molecules are breaking free from the liquid and turning into a gas. The hotter the water is, the more quickly it will evaporate. When all of the water has evaporated, what’s left is steam.
Once the steam is heated, it will begin to condense. This means that the gas will turn back into a liquid. Like when it’s cooling down when the temperature of the steam decreases it will also start to condense. When all of the steam has condensed, what’s left is water again. The process of evaporation and condensation is a cycle that will continuously repeat itself.
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Evaporation VS Condensation
- The main difference between evaporation and condensation is that evaporation is the process of a liquid turning into a gas, while condensation is the process of a gas turning into a liquid.
- Evaporation takes place when the liquid is heated, while condensation takes place when the gas is heated.
- Evaporation happens when the molecules break free from the liquid and turn into a gas, while condensation happens when the gas turns back into a liquid.
- Evaporation is a continuous cycle, while condensation is not.
- The process of evaporation releases heat, while the process of condensation absorbs heat.
- Evaporation happens on the surface of the liquid, while condensation happens inside the liquid.
- Evaporation is a faster process than condensation.
- Evaporation occurs when the vapor pressure of the liquid is higher than the atmospheric pressure, while condensation occurs when the vapor pressure of the gas is higher than the atmospheric pressure.
- The water molecules in evaporation are in the gas phase, while the water molecules in condensation are in the liquid phase.
- Temperature is a factor when it comes to evaporation, but not when it comes to condensation.
- Evaporation happens at any temperature, while condensation only happens at a certain temperature.
- If you add more energy into the system during the condensation process, it will cause the liquid to evaporate.
- Condensation is a reversible process, while evaporation is not.
- Condensation can happen with any kind of gas, while evaporation can only happen with a liquid.
Here’s a table summarizing the differences between evaporation and condensation:
| Aspect | Evaporation | Condensation |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Liquid turning into a gas | Gas turning into a liquid |
| Cause | Heating the liquid | Heating the gas |
| Molecule Transformation | Liquid molecules break free and turn into a gas | Gas molecules turn back into a liquid |
| Continuity | Continuous cycle | Not continuous |
| Heat Transfer | Releases heat | Absorbs heat |
| Location | Happens on the surface of the liquid | Happens inside the liquid |
| Speed | Faster process | Slower process |
| Vapor Pressure | Liquid vapor pressure is higher than atmospheric pressure | Gas vapor pressure is higher than atmospheric pressure |
| State of Water Molecules | Water molecules are in the gas phase | Water molecules are in the liquid phase |
| Temperature Dependency | Occurs at any temperature | Only occurs at a certain temperature |
| Energy Addition Effect | More energy causes liquid to evaporate | N/A |
| Reversibility | Not reversible | Reversible |
| Applicability to Gases/Liquids | Only applicable to liquids | Applicable to any kind of gas |
FAQs
What is the difference between evaporation and boiling?
Evaporation is the process of a liquid turning into a gas, while boiling is the process of a liquid turning into a vapor. Evaporation takes place when the liquid is heated, while boiling takes place when the liquid is heated to the point where it turns into a vapor.
Does evaporation take place on the surface of the liquid?
Evaporation does not require the molecules to break free from the surface of the liquid. Instead, it’s a process that takes place throughout the entire volume of water until all of it has evaporated.
How is evaporation different than boiling?
Boiling is the process of a liquid turning into a vapor, while evaporation is the process of a liquid turning into a gas. Evaporation takes place when the liquid is heated, while boiling takes place when the liquid is heated to the point where it turns into a vapor. Evaporation happens when the molecules break free from the liquid and turn into a gas, while boiling happens when the liquid turns into a vapor.
How is evaporation different from condensation?
Evaporation is the process of a liquid turning into a gas, while condensation is the process of gas turning into a liquid. Evaporation takes place when the liquid is heated, while condensation takes place when the gas is heated. Evaporation happens when the molecules break free from the liquid and turn into a gas, while condensation happens when the gas turns back into a liquid.
Is evaporation a reversible process?
Evaporation is not a reversible process. Once the liquid has turned into a gas, it has become a part of the air, and it cannot return back to its liquid state.