Explanation of the phenomenon of water droplets on the outer surface of a glass containing ice cold water

When we pour ice-cold water into a glass, we often observe water droplets forming on the outer surface of the glass. This phenomenon is due to the process of condensation.

What is condensation?

Condensation is the process by which water vapor in the air turns into liquid when it comes in contact with a surface that is cooler than the dew point temperature of the air. The dew point temperature is the temperature at which the air becomes saturated with water vapor.

Why does condensation occur on the outer surface of a glass containing ice-cold water?

When we pour ice-cold water into a glass, the surface of the glass becomes cooler than the surrounding air. As a result, the water vapor in the air comes in contact with the cool surface of the glass and condenses into liquid water droplets.

Why do the droplets form on the outer surface of the glass?

The droplets form on the outer surface of the glass because the temperature of the outer surface is lower than the dew point temperature of the surrounding air. This causes the water vapor in the air to condense into liquid droplets on the outer surface of the glass.

Why don't we see water droplets on the inner surface of the glass?

The reason we don't see water droplets on the inner surface of the glass is that the ice-cold water inside the glass is keeping the inner surface of the glass at a temperature that is above the dew point temperature of the surrounding air. Therefore, the water vapor in the air does not condense into liquid droplets on the inner surface of the glass.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the phenomenon of water droplets forming on the outer surface of a glass containing ice-cold water is due to the process of condensation. The dew point temperature of the surrounding air is lower than the temperature of the outer surface of the glass, which causes the water vapor in the air to condense into liquid droplets on the outer surface of the glass.

The water vapour present in air, comes in contact with the cold outer surface of the container thereby condensing it to form water droplets...