What is the Difference Between Steam and Vapor?

The main difference between steam and vapor lies in their definitions and the substances they refer to.

• Steam is the gaseous state of water, typically produced when water is boiled. It is invisible and forms when water reaches its boiling point, which is 100°C at standard pressure. Steam is often used in industrial applications, such as steam distillation or steam engines.
• Vapor refers to the gaseous state of any substance, including water. It is a more general term and can be applied to various substances in a gaseous state, such as gasoline, chemicals, and cleaning products. Vapor can be visible or colorful, depending on the substance.

While steam is a type of vapor, not all vapors are steam. Some key differences between steam and vapor include:

1. Steam is always a vapor, but not all vapors are steam.
2. Steam is specifically the gaseous state of water, while vapor can refer to the gaseous state of any substance.
3. Steam is typically invisible, while some vapors can be colorful.
4. The term "vapor" is more general and can be applied to various substances, while "steam" is a technical term often used in industrial applications.

In summary, steam is the gaseous state of water, while vapor refers to the gaseous state of any substance. Although steam is a type of vapor, not all vapors are steam, and they have different characteristics depending on the substance involved.

Comparative Table: Steam vs Vapor

The main difference between steam and vapor lies in their definitions and states of matter. Here is a table comparing the two:

In summary, steam is a type of vapor, specifically referring to the gaseous state of water. Vapor can refer to any substance in the gaseous state, even if it is ordinarily a liquid or a solid. Both steam and vapor can be saturated, meaning they are at the temperature of the boiling point corresponding to their pressure, and can carry liquid globules in suspension.