What process results in the cooling of the air when temperature drops to reach the dew point?

The cooling of the air as it reaches the dew point occurs due to condensation. When air cools, its capacity to hold moisture decreases. As the temperature drops to the dew point, the water vapor in the air begins to condense into liquid water. This phase change from vapor to liquid releases latent heat, which slightly warms the surrounding air, but overall the process leads to a reduction in temperature due to the loss of moisture as it transitions from gas to liquid.

Understanding this process is key in meteorology, as it indicates the formation of clouds and precipitation when air becomes saturated with water vapor. The significance of condensation is particularly evident in humid air masses, where reaching the dew point leads to visible effects such as fog or cloud formation, marking the transformation in atmospheric conditions.