How do we see our breath in the air?

Chemistry For Your Life

#074

This time of year, it's a common occurrence, something so common that we might not even wonder about it anymore. But really, why do we see our breath in the air when it's cold? We see steam from cooking things and boiling water, but our breath isn't that hot, so why do we see it? What does temperature have to do with it? Let's find out.

References from this episode

1. https://www.childrensmuseum.org/blog/why-can-i-see-my-breath-when-it%E2%80%99s-cold
2. https://helix.northwestern.edu/blog/2017/03/how-be-dragon-or-why-can-i-see-my-breath-winter
3. https://www.wtamu.edu/~cbaird/sq/2013/12/13/how-can-there-be-clouds-in-winter-when-it-is-too-cold-for-water-to-stay-a-vapor/
4. https://www.weather.gov/arx/why_dewpoint_vs_humidity
5. https://www.loc.gov/everyday-mysteries/item/why-do-i-see-my-breath-when-its-cold-outside/#:~:text=Cold%20air%20causes%20the%20warm,like%20a%20small%2C%20misty%20cloud.&text=It%20is%20this%20liquid%20form,when%20breathing%20in%20cold%20weather

We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!

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