What is humidity and how is it measured?

Answer 1

Humidity is the amount of water vapor that is in the air. Measuring humidity helps to indicate the chance of fog, dew, and precipitation. It is important because it of how it can affect people and the environment.

Answer 2

Humidity is a measure of the amount of water vapor in the air. There is more than one way to measure it. One way uses a pair of thermometers, one a dry bulb thermometer and the other a wet bulb thermometer. This pair of thermometers is swung rapidly in a circular motion. During this, water evaporates from the wet bulb, cooling it, at a rate which depends on the humidity. The temperature readings of the two thermometers are then compared to a chart which gives the humidity. Another, simple way uses a hair from, say from a horse's tail. The length of the hair depends slightly on the humidity. The hair can be made to rotate an indicator against a dial which can be calibrated to provide the humidity. There are also electronic devices which measure humidity.

Answer 3

The air, at any given temperature, can only hold a certain amount of moisture. If it has all the moisture that it possibly can, that would then be called a humidity of 100%. If it has less humidity than that, it will have a lower percentage. You could also describe the moisture content of the air by other means, such as grams of water per cubic meter, but percentages are easier to understand.

Answer 4

A hygrometer, because a yardstick won't do the job.

Answer 5

Yes, humidity is in fact measured by percentage. Meteorologist announce their humidity percentage every morning during their weather broadcasts.

Answer 6

Percentage