Which term describes the process of water vapor turning into liquid water?

The process of water vapor transforming into liquid water is known as condensation. This process occurs when water vapor in the atmosphere cools down and loses energy, causing the molecules to come together and form liquid droplets. This is a critical part of the water cycle, as it leads to the formation of clouds and eventually precipitation.

In contrast, evaporation refers to the process of liquid water changing into water vapor, which is the opposite of condensation. Precipitation describes the various forms of water that fall from clouds, such as rain, snow, or hail, and is a result of condensation. Sublimation is the process where solid water (ice or snow) is transformed directly into vapor without passing through the liquid state, which is also the opposite of condensation. Thus, when identifying the process of water vapor turning into liquid water, condensation is the accurate term.