When molecules of water vapor in the air come into contact with a cold can of soft drink,
they lose energy, slow down, and form a liquid due to a decrease in ___.
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The molecules of water vapor lose energy, slow down, and form a liquid due to a decrease in temperature.
When a can of soft drink is colder than the surrounding air, it causes the molecules of water vapor in the air to come into contact with its surface. The temperature difference between the cold can and the water vapor causes the water vapor molecules to lose energy. As a result, the water vapor molecules slow down and their movement becomes more restricted.
This decrease in temperature is crucial because it lowers the average kinetic energy of the water vapor molecules. When the average kinetic energy drops below a certain threshold, the water vapor transitions from the gas phase to the liquid phase. This transition is known as condensation.
Condensation occurs because the cold surface of the can acts as a source of colder energy, and the water vapor molecules lose energy by transferring it to the can. As a result, the water vapor molecules lose the ability to maintain their gaseous state and instead combine to form liquid water droplets on the surface of the can.
In summary, when molecules of water vapor in the air come into contact with a cold can of soft drink, they lose energy and slow down due to a decrease in temperature. This loss of energy leads to the condensation of water vapor into liquid water on the surface of the can.