key term - Vapor Pressure

Definition

The vapor pressure of a substance is the pressure exerted by its vapor when it is in equilibrium with its liquid or solid phase at a given temperature.

Related terms

Boiling Point:

The temperature at which the vapor pressure of a substance equals atmospheric pressure, causing it to change from a liquid to a gas.

Evaporation:

The process by which molecules at the surface of a liquid gain enough energy to become gas particles and escape into the atmosphere.

Condensation:

The process by which gas molecules lose energy and transition into a liquid state.