How is dew formed?

The formation principle of dew is that water vapor condenses into water.

The formation principle of dew is that water vapor condenses into water. When the temperature drops to the saturation of gaseous water vapor, water exceeding the saturation level will begin to condense. This kind of condensation usually occurs in the clear and cloudless night or early morning, because the water vapor in the air will condense on the surface of the object at this time, thus forming dew.

The formation of dew is influenced by many factors. Temperature is the main factor affecting the formation of dew. When the temperature approaches the dew point at night, the water vapor in the air will condense into dew. On the contrary, when the temperature is low at night, water vapor will condense more easily, so more dew will appear. Humidity is another important factor affecting the formation of dew. The greater the humidity, the more water vapor in the air, and the faster the dew will condense.

Conditions conducive to dew formation

The ground will get cold at night. At night, due to the radiation cooling effect of the ground, the temperature of the ground is often lower than that of the surrounding air. The drop of ground temperature is a prerequisite for dew formation.

High humidity. When the water vapor saturation in the air is high at night, the water vapor in the air will start to condense into small water droplets and form dew. Usually, on wet nights in summer, the humidity is high, which also contributes to the formation of dew.

Wind power and direction. Wind force and direction will also affect the formation of dew. Generally speaking, dew is more likely to form when the wind is weak at night and the wind direction is relatively stable. This is because the wind will take away the water vapor in the air, thus reducing the conditions for dew formation.

Clouds and weather. Clouds and weather conditions can also affect the formation of dew. On a clear night, the heat on the surface is easily dissipated, so it is easier to form dew. However, on cloudy days or under the cover of clouds, heat is not easy to dissipate, and the possibility of condensation will be reduced.