Chemistry

Properties of Water <--back

Water Vapor

What happens to the water accumulated in a puddle?  They disappear gradually over time, like magic, don't they? This happens because the molecules on the surface break free from those below and enter the air as vapors.  The higher the temperature of water, the faster it evaporates, because the water molecules move faster.

Water vapor is obtained by boiling it, creating steam.  It takes a great amount of heat to produce steam.  Water boils at 20 degrees F or 0 degrees C.  When water reaches its boiling point, it does not immediately turn into steam.  There is a pause during the absorption of additional heat without any rise in temperature the heat is added latent heat.

Water vapor in the air holds a tremendous amount of latent heat energy, which is released when the vapor coos and condenses.