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

The process in which water vapor changes into liquid water is known as condensation. This occurs when air containing water vapor cools to the point that it can no longer hold all the moisture in vapor form. As a result, the water vapor molecules begin to group together and transition into liquid water droplets. This is commonly observed in the formation of clouds, dew, and fog.

Understanding condensation is essential in the water cycle, as it marks one of the key transitions where moisture in the atmosphere begins to coalesce and can later lead to precipitation, such as rain or snow. Other processes, such as evaporation, involve water transforming from liquid to vapor, while transpiration refers specifically to the release of water vapor from plants.