Evaporation vs. Condensation — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 21, 2023
Evaporation is the process where liquid turns into vapor; condensation is when vapor turns back into liquid.
Difference Between Evaporation and Condensation
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Evaporation and condensation are fundamental processes in the water cycle. Evaporation occurs when water molecules from a liquid surface gain enough energy to transform into vapor, generally aided by heat. On the other hand, condensation happens when water vapor in the air cools and returns to a liquid state, forming droplets.
While evaporation is an endothermic process, which means it absorbs heat from its surroundings, condensation is exothermic, releasing heat. Evaporation, therefore, typically results in a cooling effect, while condensation tends to warm its surroundings.
Factors affecting evaporation include temperature, surface area, and humidity. The higher the temperature and surface area, the faster evaporation typically occurs, while high humidity slows it down. In contrast, condensation is influenced primarily by the temperature and humidity of the air; when air is saturated with moisture and cools, condensation is likely to occur.
The occurrence of evaporation is common in daily activities like drying clothes, sweating, or the steaming of a hot shower. Condensation, on the other hand, is seen when you observe water droplets forming on a cold glass of water or on windows during a cold day.
Both evaporation and condensation are essential in weather systems. Evaporation from oceans and lakes feeds moisture into the air, which can form clouds through condensation. When these clouds cool sufficiently, condensation can lead to precipitation.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Turning of liquid into vapor
Turning of vapor into liquid
Heat Process
Endothermic (absorbs heat)
Exothermic (releases heat)
Effect on Surroundings
Cools the surroundings
Warms the surroundings
Influencing Factors
Temperature, surface area, humidity
Temperature, humidity
Common Observations
Drying clothes, sweating
Droplets on a cold glass, morning dew on grass
Compare with Definitions
Evaporation
A surface phenomenon increasing with temperature
The faster evaporation in summer dries clothes quicker.
Condensation
A process occurring when vapor cools
With the fall in temperature, condensation started to form on the window.
Evaporation
Transformation of liquid into vapor
After a rain, evaporation from the streets created a misty appearance.
Condensation
Transformation of vapor into liquid
The cold bottle showed condensation after being taken out of the fridge.
Evaporation
Reduction in the amount of liquid due to change in phase
The small puddle disappeared after a few hours due to evaporation.
Condensation
Formation of water droplets from saturated air
Morning dew is a result of condensation from the overnight air.
Evaporation
Process driven by heat and decreasing with higher humidity
Evaporation from the pond was minimal due to the humid day.
Condensation
A phenomenon that releases heat
Condensation on the glass warmed the surrounding air slightly.
Evaporation
Evaporation is a type of vaporization that occurs on the surface of a liquid as it changes into the gas phase. The surrounding gas must not be saturated with the evaporating substance.
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.
Evaporation
The process of turning from liquid into vapour
Snow cover prevents evaporation of water from the soil
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
Evaporation
To convert or change into a vapor.
Condensation
The conversion of a vapour or gas to a liquid
The cloud is caused by condensation in the air
Evaporation
To draw off in the form of vapor.
Condensation
A concise version of something, especially a text
A readable condensation of the recent literature
Evaporation
To draw moisture from, as by heating, leaving only the dry solid portion.
Condensation
The act of condensing.
Evaporation
To deposit (a metal) on a substrate by vacuum sublimation.
Condensation
The state of being condensed.
Evaporation
To change into vapor.
Condensation
An abridgment or shortening of something, especially of a written work or speech.
Evaporation
To pass off in or as vapor.
Condensation
The process by which a gas or vapor changes to a liquid.
Evaporation
To produce vapor.
Condensation
The liquid so formed.
Evaporation
To disappear; vanish
Our fears at last evaporated.
Condensation
(Chemistry) A chemical reaction in which water or another simple substance is released by the combination of two or more molecules.
Evaporation
The process of a liquid converting to the gaseous state.
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.
Evaporation
The process in which all or a portion of liquid (in a container) is turned into vapour, in order to increase the concentration of solid matter in the mixture.
Condensation
The act or process of condensing or of being condensed
Evaporation
(archaic) That which is evaporated; vapor.
Condensation
The state of being condensed.
Evaporation
The process by which any substance is converted from a liquid state into, and carried off in, vapor; as, the evaporation of water, of ether, of camphor.
Condensation
(physics) The conversion of a gas to a liquid.
Evaporation
The transformation of a portion of a fluid into vapor, in order to obtain the fixed matter contained in it in a state of greater consistence.
Condensation
The condensate so formed.
Evaporation
That which is evaporated; vapor.
Condensation
(chemistry) The reaction of two substances with the simultaneous loss of water or other small molecule.
Dehydration synthesis
Evaporation
See Vaporization.
Condensation
(psychology) when a single idea (an image, memory, or thought) or dream object stands for several associations and ideas.
Evaporation
The process of becoming a vapor
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.
Evaporation
The process of extracting moisture
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.
Evaporation
An essential step in the water cycle
The sun’s heat causes the evaporation of water from oceans.
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
Conversion of gaseous state to a liquid state
High humidity led to condensation on the walls of the room.
Common Curiosities
Is evaporation only restricted to water?
No, evaporation can occur with any liquid, but it's most commonly associated with water.
Does condensation only occur in cold conditions?
While it's common in cooler conditions, condensation can occur whenever air is saturated with moisture and cools.
Is boiling water an example of evaporation?
Yes, boiling is a form of rapid evaporation.
What leads to condensation on windows?
Condensation on windows results from moist air coming in contact with the cold surface of the window.
Why does evaporation cool the surroundings?
Evaporation is endothermic, absorbing heat from the surroundings.
Do both evaporation and condensation play roles in the water cycle?
Yes, both processes are fundamental in the water cycle.
Can condensation occur inside buildings?
Yes, especially when moist indoor air contacts cooler surfaces like walls or windows.
What causes evaporation?
Evaporation is caused by the increase in temperature and energy allowing liquid molecules to become vapor.
Why does my drink get cold when I add ice?
The drink gets cold due to the heat absorbed during the evaporation of the melting ice.
Why does the bathroom mirror fog up during a shower?
The hot water increases humidity, and when this moist air contacts the cooler mirror, condensation occurs.
Can condensation be prevented?
Reducing humidity and increasing ventilation can help minimize condensation.
How does humidity affect evaporation?
High humidity slows down evaporation since the air is already saturated with moisture.
Does sweating utilize evaporation?
Yes, sweating cools the body through the evaporation of perspiration.
How does condensation contribute to cloud formation?
When moist air rises and cools, condensation occurs, forming tiny water droplets that become clouds.
Is dew on grass a result of evaporation or condensation?
Dew on grass is a result of condensation from the air.
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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.
