What is the process by which water vapor turns into liquid water called?

The process by which water vapor turns into liquid water is called condensation. This occurs when water vapor cools and loses energy, leading to the formation of small droplets of liquid water. This transformation can be observed in various natural phenomena, such as the formation of clouds, fog, or dew. When the water vapor in the air cools down, it condenses around small particles or surfaces, which is why you might see water droplets forming on a cold glass surface or as humidity cools overnight.

In contrast, evaporation is the process where liquid water is converted into water vapor, while precipitation refers to water in any form that falls from clouds to the ground, such as rain, snow, or sleet. Transpiration is the process by which water evaporates from plant leaves back into the atmosphere. Understanding these processes is essential in the study of the water cycle and how water moves through different states in the environment.