Vapor is the state of the gas when it is at a level below its critical point.
Vapor is the state in which a gas is found when it is at a level below its critical point ; This refers to those pressure and temperature conditions above which it is impossible to obtain a liquid by compression. If a gas is below that point, this means that it is susceptible to condensation through a reduction in its temperature (maintaining constant pressure) or via pressurization (with constant temperature).
It is important to clarify that a gas is a substance that meets a well-defined characteristic: having neither its own shape nor volume. This allows it to conform to the shapes of the containing element or disperse if it is not contained. In some special cases, such as steam, said gas can be condensed to be easily manipulated; However, this is not a characteristic that all gases have.
Water vapor is the gas obtained from boiling (the physical process by which the entire mass of a liquid is converted to the gaseous state) or from evaporation (the same process, but which can take place at a temperature indistinct and without the entire mass of the liquid reaching its boiling point) of liquid water or of the sublimation (the change from the solid to the gaseous state) of ice. This vapor is odorless and colorless.
steam locomotives
Since the Industrial Revolution, many advances have taken place in the life of societies. Among them was the invention of steam as a source of energy for means of transportation; In this way, the steam locomotive emerged, which allowed movement thanks to the energy arising from the combustion of components such as coal or fuel oil in a boiler. This is how the water was heated and when it reached boiling temperature, it generated a certain pressure that moved pistons that were connected to the wheels; These began to rotate and made the carriage or locomotive move in a rhythmic manner.
The first steam locomotive was designed by Richard Trevithick in 1804 and managed to transport five wagons loaded with steel (10t) and passengers (70 people), at a speed of 8 km/h. He is credited with the creation of this means of transportation, which meant an unavoidable leap in the development of societies.
There are locomotives that use steam as a source of energy.
The contributions of Blenkinsop and Stephenson
But there are many other names related to the steam locomotive and advances in means of transportation, two of them are:
* John Blenkinsop : he was the one who designed the toothed rails so that the locomotive wheels were fixed and could move safely. This model was used for many years and the current design of all the rails is derived from it.
* George Stephenson : He was the one who improved the combustion mechanism , creating the first modern steam locomotive that distributed heat more efficiently. It was called Rocket and its working system was also used in later locomotives.
But finally, when locomotives that combined a diesel and electric system, based on the internal combustion of oil , appeared at the beginning of the 20th century, steam locomotives slowly fell into disuse.
steam engines
It is also worth mentioning that in the past many boats were powered by steam engines .
These ships had boilers or steam turbines and cooled water condensers that allowed them to move without depending on currents or winds. Thanks to steam, the first transatlantic ships could be created. Currently there are no boats that use this method of propulsion.