Dew

Dew is the tiny water droplets you see on grass and leaves in the morning. It forms overnight when the air cools down. The water vapor in the air turns into liquid drops on cool surfaces. Dew makes the world sparkle like diamonds in the morning sun.

How Dew Forms

During the day, the sun warms the ground and the air. At night, the ground cools down quickly. When the air near the ground cools enough, the water vapor in it condenses into tiny droplets. These droplets collect on grass, leaves, and other surfaces.

Dew in Nature

Dew is very important for many plants and animals. In dry areas, dew can be the main source of water for small creatures. Some beetles in the desert collect dew on their backs to drink. Spiderwebs decorated with dew drops are one of nature's prettiest sights.

Fun Facts

• Some desert beetles stand on their heads to let dew roll down their backs into their mouths.
• The temperature at which dew forms is called the dew point.
• Heavy dew can provide as much water to plants as a light rain shower.

Did You Know?

In some dry parts of the world, people use special nets to collect dew and fog droplets for drinking water! This provides fresh water in places where it rarely rains.