Why does dew sometimes form onto surfaces?

Dew forms on surfaces when the temperature of those surfaces cools below the dew point of the surrounding air, causing moisture in the air to condense into liquid droplets. This typically happens during the night when temperatures drop, especially on clear nights when heat escapes into the atmosphere. Surfaces like grass, cars, and leaves cool more quickly than the air, providing ideal conditions for dew formation. As a result, you often see dew in the early morning hours.