In thermodynamics, what change occurs when a substance undergoes condensation?

When a substance undergoes condensation, it transitions from a gaseous state to a liquid state. This process involves the release of latent heat, which is the energy that was previously absorbed during vaporization. As the vapor cools and transitions to liquid, this latent heat is expelled into the surroundings, resulting in heat being released. This characteristic behavior of condensation is essential in various applications, such as in refrigeration cycles and atmospheric processes, where moisture in the air condenses to form droplets, releasing heat in the process.

In this context, while options like heat being absorbed or a significant decrease in temperature may seem plausible in isolation, they do not accurately describe the thermodynamic processes associated with condensation. In a similar vein, while pressure may change in a system depending on the surrounding conditions, it is not a defining characteristic of the condensation process itself.