Dew, that glistening moisture people often see in the morning, can actually form at various times throughout the day, as long as the weather conditions are suitable.

Nonetheless, the primary time for dew formation is during the nighttime, though we may not notice it until the morning.

Soccer players are well aware that dew frequently appears on grassy fields between 7 and 10 p.m. during the summer months, making the grass slippery and prompting them to touch it periodically.

But why does dew specifically form on grass? It all comes down to the amount of water vapor present in the air, which is closely tied to the prevailing temperature.

As temperature increases, the air's capacity to hold water vapor also rises.

Consequently, when we find ourselves in hot, humid locations, especially near large bodies of water, the air tends to feel "sticky" as it contains an abundance of moisture, and the humidity is too high for our skin to effectively sweat.

As the sun sets in the evening, the grass, along with other objects like cars, metal surfaces, lawn chairs, and more, begins to cool down because they are no longer absorbing heat but rather emitting it.

This cooling process ultimately reaches the "dew point," which is the temperature at which the air can no longer retain all the water vapor it holds. When this happens, the excess water vapor condenses on these objects, forming tiny droplets, commonly referred to as dew.

This same principle is at play when we exhale onto glass surfaces. If the glass is cold, water droplets will form, but if the glass is warm, they won't. The cold glass chills the surrounding air, reducing its capacity to hold water vapor, thus leading to condensation on the glass.

Sometimes, what appears to be dew on grass isn't actually dew but a phenomenon known as "grass slobber." This occurs when the grass absorbs an excessive amount of water, causing pressure to build up in the roots.

This excess water is then pushed upward and outward from the leaf margins and tips. Unlike dew, this water often contains sugars and minerals. When it evaporates, it leaves behind a faint white residue composed of these substances on the leaves.

Dew is more likely to form on clear nights when the air near the ground is moderately humid, especially after a warm day. Minimal wind is ideal for dew formation since windy conditions transport warm air to cold surfaces, warming them and enabling them to hold more moisture.

Some researchers have also explored the use of dew condensers to collect water, particularly in arid regions and areas with limited water resources.

Dew is not exclusive to the morning; it can form at different times as long as the temperature and humidity conditions are right. The science behind dew formation lies in the air's ability to hold water vapor and the cooling of objects to the dew point, causing water droplets to materialize.