eli5 What is the dew point?

Question

Every time I read about it it trails into complex physics

In: 6

Answer 1

Air can hold a certain amount of water vapor in it. The amount it can hold depends on its temperature. Hot air can hold more water than cold air. If hot air is holding a certain amount of water vapor without an issue, but cools down, eventually it’ll reach a temperature it can no longer hold that amount of water vapor in it. That temperature is called the dew point.

The water no longer being held in the air means it collects on whatever surfaces it’s touching, creating dew, hence the name

Edit: typo