What is the process called when water vapor changes into liquid water?

The process in which water vapor changes into liquid water is called condensation. This occurs when air containing water vapor cools and cannot hold all the moisture, causing the water vapor to transition back into a liquid state. This is commonly observed when dew forms on grass or when water droplets appear on the outside of a cold beverage.

Condensation is a critical part of the water cycle and plays a key role in weather patterns, leading to clouds and ultimately precipitation when these droplets combine and grow larger. Understanding condensation is essential for grasping broader concepts in meteorology and climatology, such as the formation of clouds and the development of various weather systems.