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Understanding Humidity Measurement Methods

Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere, measured using instruments like hydrometers and psychrometers. The wet and dry bulb thermometer method involves two thermometers to determine humidity levels, with readings compared to find the difference. There are various types of humidity measurements, including absolute, relative, and specific humidity.

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8 views2 pages

Understanding Humidity Measurement Methods

Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere, measured using instruments like hydrometers and psychrometers. The wet and dry bulb thermometer method involves two thermometers to determine humidity levels, with readings compared to find the difference. There are various types of humidity measurements, including absolute, relative, and specific humidity.

Uploaded by

Taedza Chidziya
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© All Rights Reserved
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Humidity

Wet and dry bulb thermometer Image by Trade India

-A quantity representing the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere.

 It is measured using a hydrometer.


 The wet and dry bulb thermometer is also known as a psychrometer.
 Weather satellites can also measure the amount of humidity in the atmosphere.
 A hygrometer measures the humidity in the atmosphere using two thermometers: dry
and wet bulb thermometers.
 The wet bulb thermometer is wrapped in thin muslin and dipped in a container of water
to keep the muslin cloth wet.
 If the air is dry water evaporates from the muslin and cools such that the mercury
contracts.
 The dry bulb is not affected hence the two show different readings.
 The wet bulb shows a low reading whilst the dry bulb shows a higher reading.
 Depression/Difference=the reading of the dry bulb less the reading of the wet bulb
thermometer.
 The humidity is then found by reading humidity tables. For example if there is no
difference between the two readings the humidity is 100%
 Electronic hygrometers are also used. These are easier to read.
 Relative humidity is measured in percentage terms.

Types of humidity

There are several ways to measure and express humidity:

1. Absolute Humidity-the total mass of water vapor present in a given volume of air.
2. Relative Humidity-the amount of water vapor in a given volume of air at a given
temperature.
3. Specific Humidity-the ration of the mass of water vapor to the mass of the parcel of air.

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