Editing Mist (section)

{{Short description|Phenomenon caused by small droplets of water suspended in air}}
{{Other uses}}
[[File:За селом 2.jpg|thumb|A misty autumn morning in the outskirts of [[Rakhiv]], [[Carpathian Biosphere Reserve]], [[Ukraine]]]]
[[File:Chambord au lever du jour.jpg|thumb|The [[Château de Chambord]] in France, in mist]]
'''Mist''' is a phenomenon caused by small droplets of water suspended in the cold air, usually by [[condensation]]. Physically, it is an example of a [[Dispersion (chemistry)|dispersion]]. It is most commonly seen where water vapor in warm, moist air meets sudden cooling, such as in [[Exhalation|exhale]]d air in the winter, or when throwing water onto the hot stove of a [[sauna]]. It can be created artificially with aerosol canisters if the [[humidity]] and temperature conditions are right. It can also occur as part of natural weather, when humid air cools rapidly, notably when the air comes into contact with surfaces that are much cooler than the air (e.g. mountains).

The formation of mist, as of other [[Suspension (chemistry)|suspensions]], is greatly aided by the presence of [[nucleation site]]s on which the suspended water phase can congeal. Thus even such unusual sources of nucleation as small particulates from [[volcanic eruption]]s, releases of strongly polar gases, and even the [[magnetospheric]] ions associated with [[aurora|polar lights]] can in right conditions trigger condensation and the formation of mist.

Mist is commonly confused with [[fog]], which resembles a [[stratus cloud]] lying at ground level. These two phenomena differ, but share some commonalities; similar processes form both fog and mist. Fog is denser, more opaque, and generally lasts a longer time, while mist is thinner and more transparent.