In science, the matter is anything which occupies space and which has mass. There are three states of matter; solid, liquid, and gas. All three states of matter are important for the environment in one or the other form. Gas is also considered a state of matter although it is not visible still it occupies space and has some volume and mass.
Although there are several things which are not categorized under three States of matter, their existence is still important. With the temperature change, the three states of matter can interchange themselves, for example, solid ice can turn into water that is liquid and by getting heated up it can change into gas as well.
Vapor vs Gas
The main difference between vapor and gas is that vapor is not a gaseous state of matter, it can be solid or liquid but gas is a gaseous state of matter. Although, they might seem confusing as both of them are in a gaseous state.
Comparison Table Between Vapor and Gas
| Parameters of Comparison | Vapor | Gas |
| Definition | State of transition from liquid to gas, which is formed by boiling a liquid (this process is also known as evaporation). | One of the three states of matter, it is made up of elemental molecules or compound molecules, like air, which contains several pure gases. |
| Inclusion in State of matter | Not included | Included |
| Formation | Forms when at temperatures below the boiling point of water. | Forms when above its critical temperature. |
| Shape under microscope | Has a definite shape | Does not have a definite shape |
| Examples | Chemicals in perfumes, mist, etc. | Air, oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc. |
What is Vapor?
Vapor can be defined as the state of transition from liquid to gas, which is formed by boiling a liquid (this process is also known as evaporation). Vapor is different from the aerosol.
Under the microscope, vapor has a definite shape, It consists of molecules which move randomly in any direction. The state of equilibrium is maintained when vapor is in contact with the liquid or solid phase. In the procedure of cloud formation and condensation, the vapor is responsible.
Since vapor is in the gas phase it is measurable, and it also obeys barometric formula in the gravitational field. The vapor pressure is the equilibrium pressure from liquid or a solid at a specific temperature it can be seen with the help of graphs. At the normal boiling point, the vapor pressure is equal to the normal atmospheric pressure.
Examples of vapor are; atmospheric water vapor, which is found near the surface of the earth and may condense in forms of small liquid droplets in form of fog or mist. Perfumes contain several chemicals which vaporize at different temperatures, there are mercury vapor lamps available, etc.
Vapor is the result of any process, either of boiling or evaporation through vaporization of any liquid, the transitional phase contains vapor. Evaporation and boiling of any liquid occur when its boiling temperature at a given pressure.