What is the term for the process of turning from a gas to a liquid?

The term for the process of turning from a gas to a liquid is condensation. This process occurs when molecules in a gas lose energy, typically as a result of cooling, allowing them to come together to form a liquid. A common example of condensation is the formation of water droplets on the outside of a cold beverage.

Melting refers to the transition from solid to liquid, which involves heating a solid until its particles have enough energy to move freely. Sublimation is the process where a solid changes directly into a gas without passing through the liquid phase, such as dry ice turning into carbon dioxide gas. Evaporation is the change from a liquid to a gas, occurring at the surface of a liquid, and is typically associated with the addition of heat. Understanding these terms helps clarify the changes in states of matter and their respective processes.