An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The equilibrium pressure of a vapor above its condensed phases (liquid or solid). In other words, the pressure of the vapor resulting from evaporation of a liquid (or solid) above a sample of the liquid (or solid) in a closed container. The vapor pressure varies with the temperature. As the temperature increases its the vapor pressure also increases, and conversely. The temperature at which the vapor pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure is called the → boiling point. For example, at 20 °C, water would boil at a pressure of about 0.023 atm, or about a fortieth of atmospheric pressure.

See also: → vapor; → pressure.