What does the term dew point refer to?

The term dew point specifically refers to the temperature at which water vapor present in the air begins to condense into liquid water. This is a crucial concept in understanding atmospheric conditions, particularly in relation to humidity and weather patterns. When the air temperature cools to the dew point, the moisture in the air can no longer remain in its gaseous state, leading to the formation of dew, fog, or other forms of precipitation.

The other options do not accurately represent the definition of dew point. For instance, the lowest temperature of a liquid is not directly related to dew point since dew point focuses on the condensation of vapor rather than the temperature of a liquid state. Similarly, while humidity is related to the amount of water vapor in the air, it is measured as a percentage and does not define the specific temperature at which condensation occurs. Finally, the temperature at which ice melts pertains to a phase change from solid to liquid and is unrelated to the condensation of vapor. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why the dew point is defined strictly by the temperature at which condensation occurs.