2006-08-01 05:57:06 · 4 answers · asked by Blah 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
example: the smoke coming out of ice.
2006-08-01 19:56:21 · update #1
Unless the hot something is actually burning, what you are seeing in both cases is water droplets. It's usually called steam, though that's not really correct either.
Water can exist as a gas (water vapor) up to a certain concentration, depending on temperature - there can be more vapor at higher temperatures. There is always some water vapor in the air. When you get too high a concentration of water vapor for the temperature, some of it condenses into tiny droplets of liquid water. The lowest temperature that will allow the water in the air to remain a gas is called the dew point. Cool the air below the dew point and condensation occurs. On a large scale, that's how clouds and fog happen.
A cold object cools the air around it. If it cools the air below the dew point, you will see water droplets in the air. A hot moist object will lose some of its water as vapor. The air around the object is hot enough to allow more water vapor to exist. When this air rises (hot air rises), it cools off, and the vapor condenses so you can see it.
2006-08-01 09:12:08 · answer #1 · answered by injanier 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Moisture present in the air close to a very cold object condenses into tiny water droplets, forming a mist that you are mistaking as smoke.
2006-08-01 06:36:37 · answer #2 · answered by Zaphod B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Condensation of water vapor.
2006-08-01 06:00:45 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. E 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Due to CONVECTION.
2006-08-01 06:02:00 · answer #4 · answered by vinn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋