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When it comes to the differences between vapour and gas, there are a few key points to keep in mind. Both vapour and gas can be used to describe a fluid that is in a state of transition between a liquid and a gas. However, when most people talk about “vapour,” they are referring to steam. Steam is created when water turns into vapour, which happens when the water reaches a boiling point or is heated past its boiling point. Gas, on the other hand, typically refers to air or any other substance that is in gaseous form. In this article, we will take a closer look at the differences between vapour and gas!
What is Vapour?
The dictionary defines vapour as “a substance diffused in the air, especially one normally liquid or solid, which is transformed into a gas by heat.” In other words, it’s the gaseous form of a substance that’s normally a liquid or solid at room temperature.
Water vapour is an important component of the Earth’s atmosphere, and it’s responsible for things like weather and clouds. It can also be a health hazard, as high levels of humidity can cause respiratory problems.
What is Gas?
Gas is defined as “a substance that occupies space and has no definite shape or volume.” In other words, it’s a substance that’s in a gaseous state at room temperature.
There are many different types of gas, including but not limited to air (which is a mixture of gases), natural gas, propane, and methane. Gas can also be a hazardous material, as it’s highly flammable.
Vapour and Gas: Difference
Vapour is the gaseous form of a substance that’s normally a liquid or solid at room temperature, while gas refers to any substance in a gaseous state at room temperature. Read the following table to know further differences.
Criteria | Vapour | Gas |
Meaning | Vapour is a substance that is diffused in the air and has no definite shape or volume | Gas refers to any substance that occupies space and has no definite shape or volume |
Composition | Vapour is made up of molecules of the substance that it is composed of | Gas can be made up of different molecules, depending on the type of gas |
Temperature | Vapour is produced when a liquid or solid turns into gas due to heat | Gas is a substance that is in a gaseous state at room temperature |
State of Matter | Vapour is in a gaseous state | Gas can be in either a solid, liquid or gaseous state |
Hazardous | High levels of vapour can be a health hazard | Gas can be a hazardous material as it is highly flammable |
Applications | Vapour is used in things like weather and clouds | Gas is used in a variety of applications, including but not limited to air (which is a mixture of gases), natural gas, propane, and methane |
Conclusion
In conclusion, vapour is a gas that is in the process of becoming a liquid, while gas is a substance that is made up of molecules that are far enough apart to move freely. Vapour and gas have different properties, depending on how close the molecules are to each other. For example, when water turns into steam (vapour), it becomes hotter because the molecules are closer together and can transfer energy more easily. Gas doesn’t necessarily have to be hot, though; if you compress natural gas by putting it under high pressure, for example, the individual molecules will get closer together and it will behave more like a liquid.
