If water boils at 100°C, and boiling is the process of turning liquid into gas, why are bathrooms full of steam when showering at only 40°C?

Question

If water boils at 100°C, and boiling is the process of turning liquid into gas, why are bathrooms full of steam when showering at only 40°C?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

The white mists you see in showers aren’t steam. They’re most likely condensed water vapour/steam. You can’t technically see water in its gaseous state.

Which explains why you can see it, because the 40°C water will gain heat and evaporate into water vapour and then condense if the surrounding air is cooler. You most likely won’t be able to see it if the surrounding air is warmer.