During which process do molecules lose energy and come closer together?

During condensation, molecules lose energy as they transition from a gaseous state to a liquid state. This process occurs when the temperature of a gas decreases, which causes the molecules to move slower and, as a result, come closer together. The energy lost during this phase change is often released as heat, which can lead to the formation of liquid droplets from vapor. This is the fundamental reason why condensation is the process that fits the criteria of molecules losing energy and coming closer together.

In contrast, evaporation involves molecules gaining energy and moving apart, sublimation is when solids transition directly to gas without passing through the liquid phase, and melting is the transition of a solid to a liquid where molecules gain energy and move further apart. Each of these processes has distinct characteristics that differentiate them from condensation.