2
$\begingroup$

I've wondered about that for a while but all I read is commonly just "Warm/hot air has a higher energy so when it hits the surface of a liquid, it has a higher probability to transfer energy, resulting in water molecules leaving the liquid".

Though it makes sense, I don't think that is actually a reason. It only decribes the phase transition itself but doesn't explain why hot air can contain more water than cold air. Simply: Releasing something doesn't mean you can contain it (?!).

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
2

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
5
$\begingroup$

It's about the water, not the air. Water, and other substances, have a "vapor pressure": a pressure at which molecules leaving the surface are in dynamic equilibrium with vapor molecules reattaching to the surface. If you pull a vacuum above liquid water, the vacuum will be repopulated with water molecules until the vapor pressure is reached. The equilibrium vapor pressure depends on the temperature at the boundary of the liquid.

Solid water also has nonzero vapor pressure; this is the reason for "sublimation" and also the reason why old ice in your freezer has a different texture than fresh ice.

Boiling takes place when the vapor pressure exceeds the pressure inside of the liquid: then it's energetically favorable to form bubbles.

It's not just water: molecules at the edge of a bound phase (solid or liquid) have a nonzero, temperature-dependent chance of escaping from the surface of any material. The volatile metals cesium and rubidium have particularly high pressures, and can make gases with interesting optical properties in a modest oven. Liquid mercury is frequently used as a barrier in vacuum systems because its vapor pressure is especially low, but not zero.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
6
  • $\begingroup$ Thanks for the detailed answer! I would like to take up the aspect that water will vapourize even with a vacuum above it. You mention, it is finally the temperature at that boundary. When there is vacuum it is basically then the temperature of the liquid, or? $\endgroup$
    – Ben
    Jul 10, 2020 at 7:26
  • $\begingroup$ Yes, if the vacuum is tenuous enough that the vapor temperature isn't well-defined, then it's the liquid temperature which determines what happens at the liquid-vapor interface. Note that it's the most energetic molecules which leave the liquid, and the least energetic molecules which rejoin, so evaporative cooling is very strong in vacuum --- though once the ambient pressure falls below the vapor pressure the water boils, so "evaporative" isn't quite the right term. A common science-museum demonstration pulls vacuum on water so that it cools to its triple point, boiling under an ice crust. $\endgroup$
    – rob ♦
    Jul 10, 2020 at 15:42
  • $\begingroup$ What is the reason for vapor pressure? Why do molecules leave a liquid even when there is vacuum above it? $\endgroup$
    – Ben
    Jul 20, 2020 at 7:14
  • $\begingroup$ @Ben, that might work better as a new question. You can link to this one for context. $\endgroup$
    – rob ♦
    Jul 20, 2020 at 8:01
  • $\begingroup$ Ok, just did. Nevertheless, I have another question: Is it possible to explain the phenomenon without using a liquid? $\endgroup$
    – Ben
    Jul 20, 2020 at 9:04
0
$\begingroup$

It is easier to think of this in terms of molecular motions. If the air is warmer, it will warm the surface temperature of a liquid in which it is in contact. This will increase the thermal energy of molecules in the liquid, increasing the probability that a molecule has enough energy to leave the liquid and join the vapour.

I am not clear why you think air "contains" the water? It doesn't. It only warms the surface to enable evaporation. Vapour is not "contained" (unless by a vessel). It consists of those molecules which have escaped containment. Vapour pressure is the partial pressure of vapour in the air, and not (at least to first approximation) altered by air pressure.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ isn't that what I described in the question? :) $\endgroup$
    – Ben
    Jul 10, 2020 at 7:30
  • $\begingroup$ Perhaps I didn't get the question. The point is that only the kinetic energy of individual molecules is relevant to evaporation. "Containment" does not apply. $\endgroup$
    – Charles Francis
    Jul 10, 2020 at 16:54

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.