The water cycle is one of the most important cycles that govern ecosystems, and greatly conditions our life. Within the water cycle we find the condensation, which occurs in different ways and also has various repercussions.
In ecology, we tell you What is water condensation And we give you examples, to help you understand this phenomenon a little better and the importance it has.
What is water condensation – definition
The Water condensation It is defined as the Water passage from your gaseous statusin the form of steam, to liquid state. So that this transformation is the water must lose energy: the particles of Water vapor They have a great energy accumulated among their molecules, which allows them to distance each other. When this energy is lost, normally due to a cooling or loss of thermal energy, water molecules adopt less mobility and join each other, being in a liquid state. Although this definition is very simple, there are several parameters that influence this phenomenon.
Point or water condensation temperature
Condensation depends on several factorsincluding temperature, air saturation and pressure.
Temperature
When the temperature decreases, the kinetic energy of the molecules directly decreases, which promotes condensation. In order for the condensation of water in the air to be lowered from a temperature limit called “dew point”. The dew point is not fixed: it depends on the other two factors, especially the pressure.
Saturation
The concrete amount of water vapor containing an air mass is called “absolute humidity.” On the contrary, the amount of water vapor that contains an air mass compared to the total steam it can host is the “relative humidity.” When the air is saturated (humidity relative to 100%), it reaches dew. As in the previous case, the point at which we reach saturation varies with pressure and temperature. However, it is easier for water to condense in an air mass with a 90% humidity related to a humidity of 10%.
The jungles and other ecosystems with great forest biomass and great water availability are especially saturated places.
Pressure
The greater the air pressure, the more difficult the expansion of the water molecules is, and therefore the condensation occurs more easily. In the mountains the rain occurs not only due to the low temperatures, but also because the air drives the clouds to the slopes of the mountains. It must also be taken into account that there is a reduction in atmospheric pressure, especially at great altitudes.
Condensation: examples
Here are some Examples of water condensation They are very significant and easy to understand:
Rain
The rain occurs when the water vapor condenses and falls by gravity. It has several consequences, which you can read below:
- Water cycle: As we have already mentioned, the water cycle is one of the most important in nature. Water condensation determines the amount of rainfall that occurs in a specific territory, which in turn influences the total water availability.
- Geological agent: The rains form streams and other water courses that have great importance for land modeling. Various geological formations, such as gullies, can be generated through runoff phenomena.
- Soil degradation and desertification: Especially in naked land, lacking vegetation and with an impoverished or poorly developed soil, water contributes to the erosion of the superficial horizon rich in organic matter (and support in turn of vegetation). Rain accelerates the desertification of the territory. If there are pollutants, they also percolate with water.
- Acid rain: The rain drags the particles in the air. When acids derived from sulfur and nitrogen are dragged, causing serious damage to ecosystems. Here you can know everything about acid rain: definition, causes and consequences.
Dew
When an energy emission occurs during condensation, dew causes the vegetation to have an extra temperature contribution. In addition, it also contributes to the availability of water and the phenomena we have detailed for rain.
Bruma captors
Through mists collection devices, especially on mountainous slopes, water vapor can be used to generate water suitable for human consumption. These structures have been traditionally used in the Canary Islands.
Difference between condensation and evaporation
Condensation and evaporation They are totally different phenomena. Specifically, while condensation is the passage of the water of the gaseous state to the liquid state, evaporation is the passage of liquid state to the gaseous state.
Therefore, we can see that, in fact, these are two opposite phenomena, they are precisely the opposite process.
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