condensable

Condensable is an adjective used to describe a substance or component that can change state from a gas to a liquid or solid under suitable temperature and pressure conditions. In thermodynamics and physical chemistry, a condensable gas is any vapor that can undergo condensation; the term is often used when discussing gas mixtures in which some components condense while others remain gaseous at a given temperature, pressure, or altitude.

In atmospheric science, water vapor is the principal condensable species, and its condensation leads to cloud and fog formation. The concept is tied to dew point, saturation vapor pressure, and phase diagrams. Substances with a high tendency to condense under prevailing conditions are considered highly condensable; those requiring very low temperatures or high pressures may be treated as non-condensable in certain engineering or environmental contexts.

In engineering and industry, condensable components affect processes such as combustion, steam generation, and gas purification. Condensation can be used intentionally in condensers or separators to remove moisture or volatile components from gas streams, while non-condensable gases can influence pressure and heat transfer in equipment.

In planetary and space sciences, the term is used to discuss atmospheres of other planets and the condensable species within them, such as water, ammonia, methane, or sulfur compounds, depending on the temperature–pressure regime. Understanding which components are condensable helps model atmospheric structure, cloud formation, and phase transitions in diverse environments.

See also: condensation, dew point, vapor pressure, phase diagram, non-condensable gas.