Earth Science (15th Edition)
Earth Science (15th Edition)
15th Edition
ISBN: 9780134543536
Author: Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher: PEARSON
Question
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Chapter 17, Problem 1GST
To determine

The state of matter of steam rising from the accompanying photo.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Answer to Problem 1GST

The steam is actually in liquid state. Water evaporates out of the coffee cup and as it rises, it cools and condensation into tiny liquid droplets. Hence, the steam is actually composed of tiny liquid droplets.

Explanation of Solution

Evaporation is the conversion of water from a liquid to a gas state when subjected to heat. This absorbed heat helps the molecules to escape the liquid surface and become a gas. Condensation is the conversion of the water from a gas to a liquid state. It is the reverse process of evaporation. The water molecules release energy that was absorbed during evaporation.

The liquid in the coffee cup is below the boiling point of water and the process of evaporation takes place in it in which involves in the conversion of liquid water into the gaseous water.

The molecules in the surface of the liquid gain enough energy to escape from the liquid surface and become a gas in the atmosphere.

However, the atmosphere can only hold too much of water in it. A point reaches where the air above the coffee cup becomes saturated, and attains dew-point.

At dew-point, atmosphere can no longer hold enough water vapour molecules and must condense back into liquid water. That is when condensation takes place and the process that happens above the steaming cup of coffee.

Some of the water molecules that evaporates causes the atmosphere right above it to reach the dew point. A portion of the water vapour condenses back into tiny droplets of liquid water, which one then can see as fog or steam.

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