What is the phase change from gas to liquid called?

The phase change from gas to liquid is known as condensation. This process occurs when gas molecules lose energy, typically through cooling, allowing them to come together and form a liquid. An everyday example of condensation can be observed when water vapor in the air cools down and forms droplets on a cold surface, such as a glass of ice water.

Vaporization and evaporation refer to the processes where a liquid turns into a gas. Vaporization is the general term for this transition, while evaporation specifically occurs at the surface of a liquid and can happen at any temperature. Melting refers to the change from solid to liquid, which is unrelated to the gas-to-liquid transformation. This understanding of condensation is fundamental in both physical science and various real-world applications, such as meteorology and engineering.