Difference Between Evaporation and Condensation

Main Difference

The main difference between evaporation or condensation is that evaporation is the process of changing liquid state into a gaseous state, whereas condensation is the process of changing gaseous state into a liquid state.

Evaporation vs. Condensation

Evaporation is the process in which a substance changes from its liquid phase to gaseous phase whereas condensation is the process in which a substance changes from its gaseous phase to liquid phase. Evaporation occurs at any temperature just below the boiling point, but condensation occurs at a constant temperature. Evaporation occurs when the energy level of a substance increases and causes its molecules to move faster and escape from surface tension into surrounding, on the other hand, condensation occurs when temperature reduced in volume of air saturated into substance molecules causes condensation as the molecules lose their energy and start combining until they become droplets of solution. Evaporation happens when the pressure is low, and the temperature is high, on the contrary, condensation happens when pressure is high but decrease the temperature. In evaporation, a liquid heated sufficiently, and the forces of attraction between molecules do not prevent them from moving separately, then the liquid evaporates into gas, on the flip side, in condensation, gas-cooled sufficiently, and the forces of attraction between molecules prevent them from moving separately, then the gas condenses into liquid or solid. Evaporation can occur all the time, in all surfaces and at all places, whereas condensation only takes place at carbon particles, hygroscopic nuclei-pollen grains and on salts, etc.

Comparison Chart

What is Evaporation?

Evaporation is the process in which a substance changes from its liquid phase to its gaseous phase. Evaporation happens when the pressure is low, and the temperature is high. In evaporation, a liquid heated sufficiently, and the forces of attraction between molecules do not prevent them from moving separately; then the liquid evaporates into gas form. Evaporation occurs at any temperature just below the boiling point. Evaporation occurs when the energy level of a substance increases and causes its molecules to move faster and escape from surface tension into the surrounding. In evaporation, they absorb energy from the surrounding. The kinetic energy of liquid molecules is high, and some have enough energy to overcome attractive forces which keep them bound, and by using that energy, molecules become excited, and at some level, they reach maximum saturation level causing them to convert into gaseous form. Evaporation plays an important role in the water cycle in which molecules are carried up by the wind and then eventually condenses in the form of clouds causing rains down. Evaporation occurs at low altitudes all the time, in all surfaces and at all places.

Example

The sweat on the external surface of a cold glass evaporates when the glass becomes warm.

What is Condensation?

Condensation is the method in which a substance changes from its gaseous phase to liquid phase or into tiny droplets of water. Condensation occurs when the temperature reduced in the volume of air saturated into substance molecules causes condensation as the molecules lose their energy and start combining until they become droplets of solution. Condensation happens when pressure is high, but the temperature decreased. Exothermic reactions occur in condensation and energy released into surroundings, causing an increase in temperature. Also, the condensation is the phase change regardless of the temperature. Condensation occurs mainly at higher altitudes and carbon particles, hygroscopic nuclei-pollen grains and on salts, etc. Condensation also plays a role in the water cycle in which molecules are carried up by the wind; then they eventually condense in the form of clouds causing rains down.

Example

Water vapor condenses and forms sweat on the outside of the glass or can.

Key Differences

1. Evaporation is the process of changing liquid state into a gaseous state, whereas condensation is the process of changing gaseous state into the liquid state.
2. Evaporation occurs at any temperature just below the boiling point, but condensation occurs at a constant temperature.
3. Evaporation occurs when the energy level of a substance increases and causes its molecules to move faster and escape from surface tension into surrounding, on the other hand, condensation occurs when temperature reduced in volume of air saturated into substance molecules causes condensation as the molecules lose their energy and start combining until they become droplets of solution.
4. Evaporation happens when the pressure is low, and the temperature is high, on the contrary, condensation happens when pressure is high but decrease the temperature.
5. Evaporation absorbs energy from the surrounding, whereas condensation releases energy to its surrounding.
6. Evaporation can occur all the time, in all surfaces and at all places, whereas condensation only takes place at carbon particles, hygroscopic nuclei-pollen grains and on salts, etc.

Conclusion

The above discussion concludes that evaporation is the process of changing liquid state into a gaseous state, whereas condensation is the process of changing gaseous state into a liquid state.