A question about condensation of water

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the condensation of water vapor on a glass containing near 0°C water placed in a room temperature environment (25-30°C). It is established that condensation occurs when the temperature of an object is below the dew point of the surrounding air, causing water vapor to transition from gas to liquid upon contact. The user seeks to understand why condensation is significantly more pronounced on colder surfaces compared to those at room temperature and inquires about mathematical formulas related to this phenomenon. The psychrometric chart is highlighted as a valuable tool for analyzing these conditions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the dew point and its significance in condensation.
  • Familiarity with the principles of thermodynamics, particularly energy transfer between gas and liquid phases.
  • Knowledge of psychrometric charts and their application in analyzing air properties.
  • Basic grasp of humidity and its effects on condensation processes.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of thermodynamics related to phase changes, focusing on energy transfer.
  • Learn how to read and interpret psychrometric charts for practical applications.
  • Research mathematical formulas related to dew point calculations and condensation rates.
  • Explore the relationship between temperature, humidity, and condensation in various environmental conditions.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for students of physics, meteorologists, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of condensation and humidity in environmental science.

fluidistic
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When I put a near 0°C water in a glass which is at room temperature (around 25-30°C), some water in air (humidity) condensate over the glass. That's what I believe.

I understand this like, the water present in the air as gas has molecules with more energy (kinetic, but overall?) than liquid water. When these fast molecules hit the "cold" glass, they transmit a lot of their energy and hence they change their phase from gas to liquid. Again, that's what I believe. (point me out if I'm wrong)

But why don't it happen even if the glass is at room temperature? In other words, why the water present in the air doesn't condensate on everything? Why the water that evaporates doesn't condensate on any object? I guess it does but much less than if the object is cold, which I can understand, but I can't understand the proportion. By this I mean, I can't understand why a glass at 0°C is much, much, much, much cooler than a glass at 20°C for the water vapor.

Is there any mathematical formula I can look at?
Thanks in advance... I'm bothered by that.
 
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Water condenses on an object who'se temperature is less than the dew point of the ambient air. The dew point is the temperature at which the air can no longer hold the moisture in it and the moisture starts to condense. So the object cools the air adjacent to it down to the dew point, causing water to condense and the only place for the condensed water to go is to stick to the object.

This phenomena can be analyzed on a psychrometric chart: http://www.fao.org/docrep/s1250e/S1250EEW.GIF
 
Thank you very much for the explanation and the link to the chart.
:smile:
 

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