Main Difference
The main difference between Mist and Dust is that the Mist is a phenomenon caused by small droplets of water suspended in air and Dust is a small particles in the air
Mist
Mist is a phenomenon caused by small droplets of water suspended in air. Physically, it is an example of a dispersion. It is most commonly seen where warm, moist air meets sudden cooling, such as in exhaled air in the winter, or when throwing water onto the hot stove of a sauna. It can be created artificially with aerosol canisters if the humidity and temperature conditions are right. It can also occur as part of natural weather, when humid air cools rapidly, for example when the air comes into contact with surfaces that are much cooler than the air.
The formation of mist, as of other suspensions, is greatly aided by the presence of nucleation sites on which the suspended water phase can congeal. Thus even such unusual sources as small particulates from volcanic eruptions, releases of strongly polar gases, and even the magnetospheric ions associated with polar lights can in right conditions trigger the formation of mist and can make mirrors appear foggy. Mist on mirrors should not be mistaken for condensation as they are very different. Mist is a collection of water droplets but condensation is the water droplets in a different form.
Mist is commonly mistaken for fog. These two things are very different, however they do have some things in common. Fog and mist are both formed the same way. Fog is denser and generally lasts for longer but mist is thinner and you can see more clearly through it.
Dust
Dust are fine particles of matter. It generally consists of particles in the atmosphere that come from various sources such as soil, dust lifted by weather (an aeolian process), volcanic eruptions, and pollution. Dust in homes, offices, and other human environments contains small amounts of plant pollen, human and animal hairs, textile fibers, paper fibers, minerals from outdoor soil, human skin cells, burnt meteorite particles, and many other materials which may be found in the local environment.
Mist (noun)
Water or other liquid finely suspended in air.
“It was difficult to see through the morning mist.”
Mist (noun)
A layer of fine droplets or particles.
“There was an oily mist on the lens.”
Mist (noun)
Anything that dims or darkens, and obscures or intercepts vision.
Mist (verb)
To form mist.
“It’s misting this morning.”
Mist (verb)
To spray fine droplets on, particularly of water.
“I mist my tropical plants every morning.”
Mist (verb)
To cover with a mist.
“The lens was misted.”
Mist (verb)
To be covered by tears.
“My eyes misted when I remembered what had happened.”
Dust (noun)
Fine, dry particles of matter found in the air and covering the surface of objects, typically consisting of soil lifted up by the wind, pollen, hair, etc.
Dust (noun)
The act of cleaning by dusting.
Dust (noun)
A single particle of earth or other material.
Dust (noun)
The earth, as the resting place of the dead.
Dust (noun)
The earthy remains of bodies once alive; the remains of the human body.
Dust (noun)
Something worthless.
Dust (noun)
A low or mean condition.
Dust (noun)
cash; money (in reference to gold dust).
Dust (noun)
A totally disconnected set of points with a fractal structure.
Dust (verb)
To remove dust from.
“The cleaning lady needs a stool to dust the cupboard.”
Dust (verb)
To remove dust; to clean by removing dust.
“Dusting always makes me cough.”
Dust (verb)
Of a bird, to cover itself in sand or dry, dusty earth.
Dust (verb)
To spray or cover something with fine powder or liquid.
“The mother dusted her baby’s bum with talcum powder.”
Dust (verb)
To leave; to rush off.
Dust (verb)
To reduce to a fine powder; to levigate.
Mist (noun)
a cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth’s surface that limits visibility (to a lesser extent than fog; strictly, with visibility remaining above 1 km)
“the peaks were shrouded in mist”
“a mist rose out of the river”
Mist (noun)
a condensed vapour settling in fine droplets on a surface
“a breeze cooled the mist of perspiration that had dampened her temples”
Mist (noun)
a haze or film over the eyes, especially caused by tears, and resulting in blurred vision
“Ruth saw most of the scene through a mist of tears”
Mist (noun)
used in reference to something that blurs one’s perceptions or memory
“Sardinia’s origins are lost in the mists of time”
Mist (verb)
cover or become covered with mist
“the windows of the car were misted up with condensation”
“the glass was beginning to mist up”
Mist (verb)
(of a person’s eyes) become covered with a film of tears causing blurred vision
“her eyes misted over with relief and joy”
Mist (verb)
spray (something, especially a plant) with a fine cloud of water droplets
“don’t mist furry-leaved plants such as African violets”