The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Condensation occurs when one of the three states of matter in which a gaseous (vapor) substance transforms into a liquid. It is the reverse of vaporization. As a vapor cools, it gives off energy in the form of latent heat. The release of heat causes each vapor molecule to shrink and move more slowly. Strong intermolecular forces (kinetic-molecular theory of gases) push the smaller gas molecules together; the bonding initiates the transformation into a denser, liquid form called condensate.
Condensation can occur from cooling processes such as distillation and steam engine production, or by exerting pressure in a manner that reduces the volume of the gas. Evidence of condensate is often found on a bathroom mirror after a hot shower, or on the outside of a "sweating" soda can as it warms to room temperature. Meteorological phenomena such as clouds, fog, and dew are also a result of condensation. Clouds form when rising hot air collides with air in cooler elevations.
In chemistry, condensation is defined as a reaction involving the joining of atoms in the same or different molecules. Chemists often use the process of condensation to eliminate simple molecules, such as water or alcohol, to form a heavier, more complex compound.