How does condensation differ from freezing?

Condensation is the process of a gas turning into a liquid, while freezing is a liquid turning into a solid.

Condensation and freezing are both physical changes that occur when a substance changes its state. However, they involve different transitions. Condensation is the process where a gas loses heat and changes its state to a liquid. This typically happens when a gas is cooled down. For example, when you see water droplets forming on the outside of a cold drink, that's condensation. The water vapour in the air is cooled by the cold drink and changes into liquid water.

On the other hand, freezing is the process where a liquid loses heat and changes its state to a solid. This usually happens when a liquid is cooled to its freezing point. For instance, when water is cooled to 0 degrees Celsius, it freezes and turns into ice.

The main difference between these two processes lies in the states of matter involved. Condensation involves the transition from a gas to a liquid, while freezing involves the transition from a liquid to a solid. Both processes are exothermic, meaning they release heat. However, the amount of heat released during freezing is generally more than during condensation.

Another key difference is the temperature at which these processes occur. Each substance has a specific temperature at which it condenses and freezes. For example, water condenses at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level, but it freezes at 0 degrees Celsius.

In summary, while both condensation and freezing are physical changes involving a change in state and the release of heat, they differ in the states of matter involved and the temperatures at which they occur.