What happens to energy during condensation?

During the process of condensation, a gas transforms into a liquid. This transformation involves the molecules of the gas losing energy as they come together to form a liquid. The energy that was previously present in the gas is released to the surroundings in the form of heat. This release of energy is what allows the gas molecules to slow down and form bonds with one another, leading to the denser liquid state.

In terms of thermodynamics, this process is exothermic, meaning that heat is released when the gas condenses. This increase in temperature in the surrounding environment can often be observed, such as when water vapor condenses on a cold surface, releasing heat.

Thus, the correct understanding of what happens to energy during condensation is that it is released to the surroundings, which aligns with the correct answer choice.