You know how soda cans always get wet on the outside when it's hot out? Why does that happen?
2006-12-17 09:25:44 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Condensation...Warm air holds more water
2006-12-17 09:26:57 · answer #1 · answered by feanor 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Its condensation. The outside of the can of soda is so cold, it turns the gaseous water vapor that is in the hot, humid air back into liquid water beads. In order to be a gas form, water has to be pretty warm. But when it is chilled (in this case, by the can or glass), it reverts back to liquid. Its exactly like putting liquid water in the freezer -- it loses even more energy and turns into a solid.
Only the vapor that touches the can or glass is converted to liquid, so it appears to be "sweating".
2006-12-17 09:32:10 · answer #2 · answered by Sara 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To borrow a cliche...
It's not the heat, it's the humidity.
Hot air can carry more water vapor and moisture, so that when it comes into contact with a cold surface (like a can of soda) it can lead to condensation. In the winter, the air is colder, and also dryer, so condensation is not as likely to occur.
2006-12-17 09:27:53 · answer #3 · answered by But why is the rum always gone? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water vapor from air which naturally condenses on cold surfaces into liquid water is called dew. Water vapor will only condense onto another surface when that surface is cooler than the temperature of the water vapor, or when the water vapor equilibrium in air, i. e. saturation humidity, has been exceeded. When water vapor condenses onto a surface, a net warming occurs on that surface.
The water molecule brings a parcel of heat with it. In turn, the temperature of the atmosphere drops very slightly. In the atmosphere, condensation of water vapour is what produces clouds. The dew point of an air parcel is the temperature to which it must cool before condensation in the air begins to form.
Also, a net condensation of water vapor occurs on surfaces when the temperature of the surface is at or below the dew point temperature of the atmosphere. Deposition is a type of condensation. Frost and snow are examples of deposition (or sublimation). Deposition is the direct formation of ice from water vapor.
2006-12-17 09:28:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The heat outside vs the cold inside of the can will make the can 'sweat'. It's called condensation. Hot air outside, turns cold and condenses into litle beads of water.
(Hot stuff expands, cold stuff contracts... it's the particle theory)
2006-12-17 09:29:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the soda is ice cold and causes condensation of the humid air around the can - think of it as a miniature and localized version of fog.
2006-12-17 09:27:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The temperature of the can (and soda inside) causes the moisture in the air to condense on the can. If you are in muggy weather, the more it sweats.
2006-12-17 09:27:56 · answer #7 · answered by Michael C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Condensation. Water vapor in the air condenses into liquid on cold surfaces, like soda cans.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensation
2006-12-17 09:29:22 · answer #8 · answered by Not Allie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the liquid on the inside is cooler than the air outside so the moisture from the air sticks to the can. Just like if you have a glass of ice water in the summer.
2006-12-17 09:27:14 · answer #9 · answered by Donnao 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u mean condenses? because everything needs to be at equilibrium and when a cold can of soda is at lower temp, it condenses to equal the temp of the hot weather
2006-12-17 11:09:50 · answer #10 · answered by mr man 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's condensation between hot air hitting a cold can.
2006-12-17 09:34:21 · answer #11 · answered by Rose 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋