Gas vs. Vapor: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A gas is a state of matter with no fixed shape or volume, while vapor is a gas phase of a substance that is usually liquid or solid at room temperature.
Key Differences
Gas is one of the four fundamental states of matter, characterized by its ability to fill any container it occupies without a fixed shape or volume. Vapor, on the other hand, refers specifically to the gaseous phase of a substance that at normal conditions is in a liquid or solid state.
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In terms of energy, gas particles possess higher kinetic energy allowing free and random motion. Vapor, conversely, is formed when a substance transitions from a liquid or solid state into a gas, often through the process of evaporation or sublimation.
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The term gas is used more broadly and generally does not imply a change of state. Vapor, however, specifically indicates a substance in its gaseous form that is a result of temperature or pressure changes.
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All vapors are gases, but not all gases are vapors. Gases are universal and not necessarily linked to a parent liquid or solid, while vapors directly correspond to the gaseous state of another physical state.
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Gases are often used in various industrial and scientific applications for their properties, like oxygen or nitrogen gas. Vapors, such as steam from water, are often discussed in the context of their source material and the conditions leading to their formation.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A state of matter without fixed shape or volume.
The gas phase of a substance usually found in liquid or solid state.
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Source
Can exist independently.
Originates from another state (liquid or solid).
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Dependence on Temperature and Pressure
Less dependent; gases exist naturally in their state under normal conditions.
Highly dependent; often forms from liquids or solids under specific conditions.
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Example
Oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere.
Water vapor in the air after evaporation.
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Application
Used in a variety of contexts without needing to change state.
Often specific to the material's phase change, like in distillation processes.
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Gas and Vapor Definitions
Gas
A substance in an air-like fluid state which expands freely.
The helium gas in balloons makes them float.
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Vapor
The gaseous form of substances that are normally in the liquid state at room temperature.
Alcohol vapor is produced during the fermentation process.
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Gas
A state of matter consisting of particles with neither a defined volume nor shape.
Oxygen gas is essential for breathing.
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Vapor
The gaseous state of a substance that is liquid or solid at room temperature.
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Gas
A combustible air used as fuel.
Natural gas is used for cooking in many homes.
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Vapor
A faintly visible suspension of fine particles of matter in the air, as mist, fumes, or smoke.
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Gas
The state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by relatively low density and viscosity, relatively great expansion and contraction with changes in pressure and temperature, the ability to diffuse readily, and the spontaneous tendency to become distributed uniformly throughout any container.
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Vapor
A mixture of fine droplets of a substance and air, as the fuel mixture of an internal-combustion engine.
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Gas
Any of various mixtures of flammable gases used for lighting, heating, or cooking.
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Vapor
Exhalations within a bodily organ, especially the stomach, supposed to affect the mental or physical condition. Used with the.
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Vapor
To vaporize
“You wished you'd seen one of the monster shots that vapored an atoll way back when” (Don DeLillo).
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Vapor
To engage in idle, boastful talk
Vapored on about his accomplishments.
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Gas
(Slang) Someone or something exceptionally exciting or entertaining
The party was a gas.
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Vapor
Cloudy diffused matter such as mist, steam or fumes suspended in the air.
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Vapor
Something insubstantial, fleeting, or transitory; unreal fancy; vain imagination; idle talk; boasting.
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Vapor
(dated) Any medicinal agent designed for administration in the form of inhaled vapour.
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Vapor
Hypochondria; melancholy; the blues; hysteria, or other nervous disorder.
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Gas
Matter in an intermediate state between liquid and plasma that can be contained only if it is fully surrounded by a solid (or in a bubble of liquid, or held together by gravitational pull); it can condense into a liquid, or can (rarely) become a solid directly by deposition.
A lot of gas had escaped from the cylinder.
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Gas
(uncountable) A flammable gaseous hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon mixture used as a fuel, e.g. for cooking, heating, electricity generation or as a fuel in internal combustion engines in vehicles, especially natural gas.
Gas-fired power stations have largely replaced coal-burning ones.
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Vapor
(intransitive) To become vapor; to be emitted or circulated as vapor.
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Gas
A chemical element or compound in such a state.
The atmosphere is made up of a number of different gases.
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Gas
(countable) A hob on a gas cooker.
She turned the gas on, put the potatoes on, then lit the oven.
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Gas
(uncountable) Methane or other waste gases trapped in one's belly as a result of the digestive process; flatus.
My tummy hurts so bad – I have gas.
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Vapor
Any substance in the gaseous, or aëriform, state, the condition of which is ordinarily that of a liquid or solid.
Vapor is any substance in the gaseous condition at the maximum of density consistent with that condition. This is the strict and proper meaning of the word vapor.
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Vapor
In a loose and popular sense, any visible diffused substance floating in the atmosphere and impairing its transparency, as smoke, fog, etc.
The vapour which that fro the earth glood [glided].
Fire and hail; snow and vapors; stormy wind fulfilling his word.
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Vapor
Something unsubstantial, fleeting, or transitory; unreal fancy; vain imagination; idle talk; boasting.
For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
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Vapor
A medicinal agent designed for administration in the form of inhaled vapor.
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Vapor
To pass off in fumes, or as a moist, floating substance, whether visible or invisible, to steam; to be exhaled; to evaporate.
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Gas
An internal virtual currency used in Ethereum to pay for certain operations, such as blockchain transactions.
Gas fee
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Vapor
To emit vapor or fumes.
Running waters vapor not so much as standing waters.
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Gas
(transitive) To attack or kill with poison gas.
The Nazis gassed millions of Jews during the Holocaust.
He never fully recovered after he was gassed on the Western Front.
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Vapor
To talk idly; to boast or vaunt; to brag.
Poets used to vapor much after this manner.
We vapor and say, By this time Matthews has beaten them.
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Vapor
To send off in vapor, or as if in vapor; as, to vapor away a heated fluid.
He'd laugh to see one throw his heart away,Another, sighing, vapor forth his soul.
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Gas
(transitive) To impregnate with gas.
To gas lime with chlorine in the manufacture of bleaching powder
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Vapor
A substance diffused in the air, especially one normally liquid or solid.
The kettle released hot water vapor into the air.
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Gas
(transitive) To singe, as in a gas flame, so as to remove loose fibers.
To gas thread
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Vapor
A visible exhalation, like fog, mist, or steam.
The morning was chilly with a light vapor rising from the lake.
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Gas
(US) To give a vehicle more fuel in order to accelerate it.
The cops are coming. Gas it!
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Vapor
The gas phase of a substance when it is at a lower temperature than its critical temperature.
The vapor from dry ice creates a foggy effect.
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Vapor
A fine mist or smoke-like suspension in the air.
The vapor from the humidifier helped ease her breathing.
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Gas
(slang) comical, zany; fun, amusing.
Mary's new boyfriend is a gas man.
It was gas when the bird flew into the classroom.
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Gas
An aëriform fluid; - a term used at first by chemists as synonymous with air, but since restricted to fluids supposed to be permanently elastic, as oxygen, hydrogen, etc., in distinction from vapors, as steam, which become liquid on a reduction of temperature. In present usage, since all of the supposed permanent gases have been liquified by cold and pressure, the term has resumed nearly its original signification, and is applied to any substance in the elastic or aëriform state.
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Gas
A complex mixture of gases, of which the most important constituents are marsh gas, olefiant gas, and hydrogen, artificially produced by the destructive distillation of gas coal, or sometimes of peat, wood, oil, resin, etc. It gives a brilliant light when burned, and is the common gas used for illuminating purposes.
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Gas
Same as gasoline; - a shortened form. Also, the accelerator pedal of a motor vehicle; used in the term " step on the gas".
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Gas
The accelerator pedal of a motor vehicle; used in the term " step on the gas".
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Gas
An exceptionally enjoyable event; a good time; as, The concert was a gas.
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Gas
To singe, as in a gas flame, so as to remove loose fibers; as, to gas thread.
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Gas
To impregnate with gas; as, to gas lime with chlorine in the manufacture of bleaching powder.
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Gas
The state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity; relatively great expansion and contraction with changes in pressure and temperature; the ability to diffuse readily; and the spontaneous tendency to become distributed uniformly throughout any container
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Gas
A fluid in the gaseous state having neither independent shape nor volume and being able to expand indefinitely
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Gas
A volatile flammable mixture of hydrocarbons (hexane and heptane and octane etc.) derived from petroleum; used mainly as a fuel in internal-combustion engines
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Gas
Attack with gas; subject to gas fumes;
The despot gassed the rebellious tribes
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Gas
A form of matter that flows and can occupy any space.
Hydrogen gas is the lightest gas in the universe.
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Gas
Gaseous state of a substance that can be liquid or solid under different conditions.
Carbon dioxide gas is released during the process of respiration.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What are some common examples of gases?
Oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.
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Can a vapor exist at room temperature?
Yes, if the substance's boiling point is below or near room temperature.
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What causes a substance to vaporize?
Heat or reduced pressure can cause a substance to vaporize.
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How is gas different from vapor in industrial use?
Gases are used in various applications in their natural state, while vapors are often involved in processes like distillation.
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Can vapor pressure be measured?
Yes, it's the pressure exerted by a vapor in thermodynamic equilibrium with its condensed phases.
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Can a gas be a vapor?
Not all gases are vapors; a vapor is specifically the gas phase of a substance that is liquid or solid under normal conditions.
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Is it correct to say that vapors are always wet?
Not always, as "wet" implies the presence of liquid water, which is not true for all vapors.
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How does temperature affect vapor formation?
Higher temperatures generally increase the rate of vapor formation.
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Can gases be liquified?
Yes, under high pressure and low temperature, gases can become liquids.
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What is sublimation in the context of vapor?
Sublimation is the transition of a substance from solid to vapor without passing through the liquid phase.
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Are all vapors visible?
Not necessarily, some vapors are invisible like most gases.
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How does pressure affect gases and vapors?
Increasing pressure can compress gases and cause vapors to condense back into liquids.
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Is it possible to see gas particles?
No, individual gas particles are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
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Is fog a type of vapor?
Fog is a collection of water droplets or ice crystals, so it's related to water vapor but is not vapor itself.
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What is the role of gases in the atmosphere?
Gases like oxygen and nitrogen are crucial for life and various environmental processes.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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