What Is Vapor Pressure?

Interactive passage with audio narration, comprehension questions, and printable PDF.

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Format: Interactive (Online), Printable (PDF)
Grades: 5678
Subjects: elareadingscience
Standards: MS-PS1-4MS-LS1-2
Languages: English, Spanish

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What's included

Reading passage

Reading comprehension

Audio narration

With word word highlighting

Comprehension quiz

Auto-graded

Writing activity

Open-ended response

Glossary & flashcards

Vocabulary practice

Differentiated version

Adapted for varied levels

Spanish translation

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About this reader

This NGSS-aligned science passage explains the concept of vapor pressure in an age-appropriate, engaging way for middle school students. It introduces how vapor pressure forms when molecules of a liquid evaporate and exert pressure in a closed system. The passage covers how different liquids have different vapor pressures and how temperature influences evaporation and boiling. Real-world examples, like alcohol evaporating faster than water and water boiling at different temperatures at varying altitudes, help students understand key concepts. It also explores how vapor pressure plays a critical role in boiling and connects to air pressure. The passage aligns with MS-PS1-4 under Physical Science, helping students interpret and explain scientific phenomena related to states of matter and energy. This resource is ideal for science reading comprehension practice and supports understanding of core NGSS concepts.

Written by Neha Goel TripathiPublished by Workybooks

Sample passage and quiz content

CONTENT PREVIEW

Have you ever seen water slowly disappear from a cup left out for days? That’s not magic—it’s science! Even without boiling, water can turn into vapor. This process is called evaporation, and it's closely linked to something called vapor pressure.

Vapor pressure is the pressure caused by a liquid's vapor when the liquid and gas are in balance. When a liquid evaporates, its molecules escape into the air. These gas molecules bump into things around them, creating pressure. The more molecules that evaporate, the higher the vapor pressure becomes. If a liquid is in a closed container, the vapor collects above the liquid, and the pressure it causes is the vapor pressure.

Different liquids have different vapor pressures. For example, alcohol has a higher vapor pressure than water at the same temperature. That means alcohol evaporates faster. Liquids with high vapor pressure are usually more "volatile," meaning they change into gas easily. Temperature affects vapor pressure too. As heat increases, molecules move faster and more of them escape into gas form—so vapor pressure rises.

Vapor pressure also helps explain how boiling works. A liquid boils when its vapor pressure equals the air pressure around it. At sea level, water boils at 100°C (212°F) because its vapor pressure matches the outside air pressure at that temperature. But on a mountain, where the air pressure is lower, water boils at a lower temperature.

Fun Fact: In space, where there’s almost no air pressure, your sweat would boil right off your skin—even at body temperature!

What is vapor pressure?

Pressure from solid materialsThe weight of a liquidPressure from a liquid's vapor in balancePressure made by freezing a gas

What happens when molecules in a liquid evaporate?

They freezeThey become gas and create pressureThey turn into solidsThey disappear forever

What liquid has a higher vapor pressure than water at the same temperature?

OilVinegarAlcoholMilk

What happens to vapor pressure as temperature increases?

It goes downIt stays the sameIt disappearsIt goes up

What causes a liquid to boil?

The water gets too heavyVapor pressure matches outside air pressureThe container is closedGas turns into liquid

Why does water boil at a lower temperature on a mountain?

The mountain is colderThe vapor pressure is higherThere’s less air pressureThe water is frozen

What is the main idea of the passage?

Alcohol is dangerousVapor pressure affects how liquids behaveWater should never be left outMountains make things cooler

A student seals a liquid in a jar and heats it. What will likely happen?

The liquid will freezeThe vapor pressure will riseThe pressure will stay the sameThe jar will cool down

What Is Vapor Pressure?

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About this reader

Sample passage and quiz content

CONTENT PREVIEW

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