vapor pressure

American  

noun

1. the pressure exerted by the molecules of a vapor, especially that part of the total pressure exerted by vapor in a mixture of gases, as by water vapor in air.

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vapor pressure Scientific  

1. The pressure exerted by a vapor on the solid or liquid phase with which it is in equilibrium. At pressures lower than the vapor pressure, more atoms or molecules of the liquid or solid vaporize and escape from the surface of the liquid or solid than are absorbed from the vapor, resulting in evaporation. At the vapor pressure the exchange is equal and there is no net evaporation.

2. Also called evaporation pressure

3. The pressure exerted by water vapor in the atmosphere.

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vapor pressure Cultural  

1. In physics and chemistry, the atmospheric pressure that would be exerted by any single component of a gas if that component were the only one present. For example, the vapor pressure of oxygen in the atmosphere of the Earth is the pressure that would exist if everything but oxygen were removed. The total atmospheric pressure is the sum of the vapor pressures of all the materials in the atmosphere.

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Etymology

Origin of vapor pressure

Probably earlier than 1895–1900

Compare meaning

How does vapor-pressure compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• vapor pressure vs. boiling point

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

vapor pressure

When the sun hits the painted wood and warms it, it creates a difference in vapor pressure.

From Seattle Times ● May 20, 2024

"The one we used for this project has a lower melting point than table salt, low vapor pressure, and is organic."

From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2023

That’s in part because of heat’s effect on the vapor pressure deficit, which is basically a measure of how thirsty the atmosphere is, he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2023

The analysis cites earlier research that estimated that 68 percent of the increase in vapor pressure deficit in the western United States between 1979 and 2020 is likely attributable to warming.

From Scientific American ● May 31, 2023

Now, the rates of evaporation from any moist object is determined by two factors: vapor pressure and the rate of movement of the air past the object.

From The Dollar Hen by Hastings, Milo M. (Milo Milton)