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Why Water Evaporates Even When It’s Cold

2026-02-26 Science & Technology
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StarTalk
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Description

Why does water evaporate when it's not boiling? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice break down Maxwellian Distributions of Velocities how particles move differently when adding heat. Is the universe one big mosh pit for particles? Timestamps: 00:00 - Maxwellian Velocity Distributions 00:31 - Gas Particle Most Pit 03:48 - Velocity Curves 04:29 - Evaporating Pools & Ice Cubes 07:11 - A Mixture of Gasses 09:13 - Nobody Talks About It 10:02 - Velocity Has Directions Check out our second channel, @StarTalkPlus Get the NEW StarTalk book, 'To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery' on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PL0NFn Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

Top Comments (10)

@StarTalk 2026-02-26

If the universe is one giant particle mosh pit, which molecule do you think is crowd-surfing out first?

293 113 replies
@davidf2281 2026-02-26

First time I've intuitively understood evaporative cooling.

1.1k 22 replies
@geneellis1968 2026-03-10

I'm an appliance repair man, and I have customer that ask why their ice melts in their freezer when they don't use it for a long time. I'm posting this on my page. Thanks.

120 4 replies
@Sreeve94 2026-03-05

I’m gonna make so many friends at my next mosh pit.

187 2 replies
@fakeascanbe423 2026-02-27

Chuck instantly finding the perfect analogy was amazing

123
@ajinkyasankpal1175 2026-02-27

This just shows how Great Teacher simplify complicated things and make it understandable to even a labrador if he listens . It also fuels curiosity

39 1 replies
@davidbeyer2072 2026-02-26

I can not believe that I was walking a few days ago and wondering why the water was evaporating on the sidewalk when it was only about 30 degrees. Ironically this star talk came on just at the same time. Yes, I’m still very curious about things at 80 years old. I love Star Talk.❤️😊

1.1k 25 replies
@jewulo 2026-02-27

I know Neil is doing most of the explanation here. But it needs be said that Chucks role in representing the common lay-person adds an extra dimension to the understanding of the topic at hand. Brilliant episode guys.

19
@drjones633 2026-02-26

One is an accomplished comedian that can hang with his friends physics stuff and the other is an accomplished scientist that can hang with his friends comedy. They are in my top 5 favorite internet duo's!

399 12 replies
@MrPretends 2026-02-27

Not even joking, this topic has been on my mind for months 😂😂 THANK YOU

3

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