What state transition does condensation represent?

Condensation represents the process in which a gas transforms into a liquid, and this phase change occurs when the substance loses heat. During condensation, the molecules of the gas lose kinetic energy as they cool down, allowing them to come together and form a liquid. This is a fundamental concept in thermodynamics and the study of phase changes.

When water vapor in the air cools down, for example, it loses heat energy, which leads to the change from a gaseous state to a liquid state—think of dew forming on grass in the early morning when the air temperature drops. This loss of heat is essential for the condensation process to occur, making "losing heat" the correct characterization of this transition.

The other options do not accurately describe the hallmark of condensation, as gaining heat would imply an expansion into vapor rather than the contraction into a liquid, and saying neither or both does not fit the clear definition of what happens during condensation.