Final answer:
Condensation is the transition from the vapor phase to the liquid phase, as seen when water vapor in the air is cooled enough to form liquid H₂O on surfaces like a cold glass or as fog in the air.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process that represents condensation in the given model is the physical process by which atoms or molecules transition from the vapor phase back into the liquid phase. Condensation can be visualized when water vapor in the air is cooled and forms liquid water, such as the moisture forming on the outside of a cold beverage glass or when fog is seen in the air. This cooling causes water vapor to change into tiny droplets of liquid water, which can further lead to the formation of clouds and eventually precipitation if the droplets become large enough.
Condensation is critical in the water cycle as it helps to form clouds and contributes to precipitation, which includes rain, snow, sleet, hail, or freezing rain. The physical change happens when gaseous water molecules are cooled and the attractions between H₂O molecules are strong enough to hold them together, forming liquid H₂O. This can be due to various factors such as the rise of air currents which carry water vapor into the cooler upper atmosphere or contact with a colder surface.