In which process does water vapor cool and turn back into liquid water?

The process where water vapor cools and turns back into liquid water is known as condensation. This occurs when water vapor in the atmosphere loses energy, usually due to a drop in temperature, causing molecules to come together and form liquid droplets. This is a critical part of the water cycle and is responsible for the formation of clouds, fog, and dew.

During condensation, the water vapor, which is present as a gas, transitions back to its liquid state, demonstrating a key phase change that involves the release of latent heat. This process is vital for weather patterns and contributes to various natural phenomena, such as rain formation when enough condensation occurs in the atmosphere.

Evaporation, on the other hand, is the process of liquid water turning into vapor when it gains heat energy. Infiltration refers to the process of water entering the soil, where it becomes part of the groundwater system, and precipitation involves any form of water, liquid or solid, falling from the atmosphere to the earth, which can include rain, snow, or hail. These processes highlight different aspects of the water cycle but do not involve the specific cooling and transition of water vapor to liquid form that defines condensation.