Boiling vs. Condensation — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 21, 2024
Boiling is the process where a liquid turns into a gas due to heat, while condensation is the process where a gas turns into a liquid due to cooling.
Difference Between Boiling and Condensation
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Boiling is the phase change of a liquid turning into a gas when its vapor pressure equals the atmospheric pressure, typically requiring the addition of heat. For example, water boils at 100°C under standard atmospheric conditions. Condensation, on the other hand, is the phase change of a gas turning into a liquid when it loses heat, reducing its vapor pressure below the saturation point. An example is water vapor in the air forming droplets on a cold surface.
In boiling, the temperature remains constant at the boiling point until the entire liquid has transformed into gas. Conversely, during condensation, the temperature remains constant at the dew point until the gas has fully condensed into liquid.
Boiling involves the input of energy to overcome intermolecular forces in the liquid, causing it to vaporize. Conversely, condensation releases energy as the gas molecules slow down and intermolecular forces pull them into a liquid state.
While boiling usually requires a specific temperature and pressure condition for a particular substance, condensation can occur at various temperatures when the air is saturated with vapor, leading to phenomena like dew or fog.
Comparison Chart
Phase Change
Liquid to Gas
Gas to Liquid
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Energy Dynamics
Requires addition of heat
Releases heat
Temperature Condition
Occurs at boiling point
Occurs at dew point
Molecular Movement
Increases as molecules escape liquid phase
Decreases as molecules slow and form liquid
Example
Water boiling at 100°C
Dew forming on grass in the morning
Compare with Definitions
Boiling
The process where a liquid turns into vapor when heated.
Boiling water for tea requires it to reach 100°C.
Condensation
The process where a gas turns into a liquid.
Condensation formed on the window during the cold night.
Boiling
A vigorous bubbling of a liquid due to heat.
The soup started boiling over the pot.
Condensation
Vapor turning into liquid upon cooling.
The shower caused condensation on the bathroom mirror.
Boiling
The transformation of a liquid to gas throughout the liquid.
The water began boiling and steam rose from the pot.
Condensation
The process of gas cooling to form liquid.
The air conditioning unit works by condensation of refrigerant gases.
Boiling
Heating a liquid to its boiling point.
Boiling the soup helps to blend the flavors.
Condensation
Condensation is the change of the physical state of matter from the gas phase into the liquid phase, and is the reverse of vaporization. The word most often refers to the water cycle.
Boiling
Rapid vaporization of a liquid due to heat.
The pot on the stove is boiling rapidly.
Condensation
Water which collects as droplets on a cold surface when humid air is in contact with it
The inside of the cab steamed up with condensation
Boiling
Boiling is the rapid vaporization of a liquid, which occurs when a liquid is heated to its boiling point, the temperature at which the vapour pressure of the liquid is equal to the pressure exerted on the liquid by the surrounding atmosphere. At sea level the boiling point of water is 100 °C or 212 °F but at higher altitudes it drops to correspond with decreasing atmospheric pressures.
Condensation
The conversion of a vapour or gas to a liquid
The cloud is caused by condensation in the air
Boiling
Heated to or past the boiling point
A kettle of boiling water.
Condensation
A concise version of something, especially a text
A readable condensation of the recent literature
Boiling
Very angry or upset; seething.
Condensation
The act of condensing.
Boiling
Used as an intensive
Fainted because it was boiling hot.
Boiling mad over the mistake.
Condensation
The state of being condensed.
Boiling
Present participle of boil
Condensation
An abridgment or shortening of something, especially of a written work or speech.
Boiling
The process of changing the state of a substance from liquid to gas by heating it to its boiling point.
Condensation
The process by which a gas or vapor changes to a liquid.
Boiling
(uncountable) An animation style with constantly changing wavy outlines, giving a shimmering or wobbling appearance.
Condensation
The liquid so formed.
Boiling
That boils or boil.
Boiling kettle
Boiling oil
Condensation
(Chemistry) A chemical reaction in which water or another simple substance is released by the combination of two or more molecules.
Boiling
Of a thing: extremely hot or active.
The radiator is boiling – I’m going to turn it down a bit.
Condensation
(Psychology) In psychoanalytic theory, the process by which a single symbol or word is associated with the emotional content of several, not necessarily related, ideas, feelings, memories, or impulses, especially as expressed in dreams.
Boiling
Of a person: feeling uncomfortably hot.
I’m boiling – can’t we open a window?
Condensation
The act or process of condensing or of being condensed
Boiling
Of the weather: very hot.
It’s boiling out today!
Condensation
The state of being condensed.
Boiling
(of adjectives associated with heat) Extremely
He was boiling mad.
Condensation
(physics) The conversion of a gas to a liquid.
Boiling
Heated to the point of bubbling; heaving with bubbles; in tumultuous agitation, as boiling liquid; surging; seething; swelling with heat, ardor, or passion.
Condensation
The condensate so formed.
Boiling
The act of ebullition or of tumultuous agitation.
Condensation
(chemistry) The reaction of two substances with the simultaneous loss of water or other small molecule.
Dehydration synthesis
Boiling
Exposure to the action of a hot liquid.
Condensation
(psychology) when a single idea (an image, memory, or thought) or dream object stands for several associations and ideas.
Boiling
The application of heat to change something from a liquid to a gas
Condensation
The act or process of condensing or of being condensed; the state of being condensed.
He [Goldsmith] was a great and perhaps an unequaled master of the arts of selection and condensation.
Boiling
Cooking in a boiling liquid
Condensation
The act or process of reducing, by depression of temperature or increase of pressure, etc., to another and denser form, as gas to the condition of a liquid or steam to water.
Boiling
Extremely;
Boiling mad
Condensation
A rearrangement or concentration of the different constituents of one or more substances into a distinct and definite compound of greater complexity and molecular weight, often resulting in an increase of density, as the condensation of oxygen into ozone, or of acetone into mesitylene.
Condensation
(psychoanalysis) an unconscious process whereby two ideas or images combine into a single symbol; especially in dreams
Condensation
The process of changing from a gaseous to a liquid or solid state
Condensation
Atmospheric moisture that has condensed because of cold
Condensation
The process or result of becoming smaller or pressed together;
The contraction of a gas on cooling
Condensation
A shortened version of a written work
Condensation
The act of increasing the density of something
Condensation
The change from gaseous to liquid state.
Condensation occurs when warm air meets a cold surface.
Condensation
Droplets formed from cooling vapor.
Condensation collected on the outside of the cold drink.
Common Curiosities
What is boiling?
Boiling is the process where a liquid turns into a gas due to heating until its vapor pressure equals atmospheric pressure.
At what temperature does water boil?
Water boils at 100°C (212°F) under standard atmospheric pressure.
What causes condensation to occur?
Condensation occurs when vapor cools and loses energy, allowing intermolecular forces to pull molecules into a liquid state.
Does condensation release or absorb heat?
Condensation releases heat as gas molecules slow down and form liquid.
Can boiling occur below 100°C?
Yes, boiling can occur at lower temperatures under reduced atmospheric pressure.
Is boiling a surface or bulk phenomenon?
Boiling is a bulk phenomenon where vaporization occurs throughout the liquid.
What is the role of energy in boiling?
In boiling, energy is added to a liquid to overcome intermolecular forces and allow molecules to escape as gas.
What is the dew point?
The dew point is the temperature at which air becomes saturated with moisture and condensation begins.
What is condensation?
Condensation is the process where a gas turns into a liquid due to cooling, reducing its vapor pressure below the saturation point.
Why does condensation form on cold surfaces?
Condensation forms on cold surfaces because the temperature of the surface is below the dew point, causing vapor to cool and condense.
What is vapor pressure in the context of boiling?
Vapor pressure is the pressure exerted by a vapor in equilibrium with its liquid phase at a given temperature.
Is condensation always visible?
Condensation is often visible as droplets, but it can also occur on a microscopic level.
What everyday phenomenon is an example of condensation?
An example of condensation is dew forming on grass in the morning.
What happens to molecular movement during boiling?
Molecular movement increases as molecules escape the liquid phase and become gas.
What happens to molecular movement during condensation?
Molecular movement decreases as gas molecules slow down and form a liquid.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
