Which of the following statements regarding humidity is/are correct? 1. It is a ratio between the actual amount of water vapour present in the atmosphere and the maximum amount it can hold at a given temperature. 2. When the relative humidity is high, more water evaporates from the skin. 3. The higher the air temperature lower the relative humidity of the air. Select the answer using the code given below:
Understanding Humidity and its Properties
Let's analyze each statement regarding humidity to determine which ones are correct.
Humidity refers to the amount of water vapour present in the air. There are different ways to express humidity, including absolute humidity and relative humidity. The statements provided seem to relate primarily to relative humidity.
Analysis of Statement 1: Definition of Humidity Ratio
- Statement 1 says: "It is a ratio between the actual amount of water vapour present in the atmosphere and the maximum amount it can hold at a given temperature."
- This statement accurately describes Relative Humidity (RH). Relative humidity is defined as the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapour to the equilibrium vapor pressure of water at a given temperature. More simply, it is often expressed as the ratio of the actual mass of water vapour in a volume of air to the maximum mass of water vapour that volume of air could hold at the same temperature and atmospheric pressure.
- Mathematically, Relative Humidity is often represented as: $$ \text{RH} = \frac{\text{Actual water vapour content}}{\text{Maximum water vapour capacity at given temperature}} \times 100\% $$
- Therefore, statement 1 is correct.
Analysis of Statement 2: High Relative Humidity and Evaporation
- Statement 2 says: "When the relative humidity is high, more water evaporates from the skin."
- Evaporation is the process where liquid changes into gas (water vapour). The rate of evaporation depends on several factors, including the amount of water vapour already present in the air.
- If the relative humidity is high, it means the air is already holding a large amount of water vapour and is closer to saturation. This leaves less capacity for additional water to evaporate into the air.
- Conversely, when relative humidity is low, the air is relatively dry and can absorb more water vapour, leading to a higher rate of evaporation (e.g., from skin, wet clothes).
- Therefore, statement 2 is incorrect. High relative humidity inhibits, rather than promotes, evaporation from the skin.
Analysis of Statement 3: Temperature and Relative Humidity
- Statement 3 says: "The higher the air temperature lower the relative humidity of the air."
- The maximum amount of water vapour that air can hold is directly related to temperature. Warmer air can hold significantly more water vapour than colder air.
- Relative humidity is calculated as the ratio of actual water vapour content to the maximum capacity at that temperature. If the actual amount of water vapour in the air remains constant, and the temperature increases, the maximum capacity of the air to hold water vapour also increases.
- With an increased maximum capacity (denominator) and a constant actual amount (numerator), the relative humidity (the ratio) will decrease.
- For example, if air at 10°C has 5 grams of water vapour and its maximum capacity is 10 grams (RH = 50%). If the same air (still with 5 grams of water vapour) is heated to 20°C, its maximum capacity might increase to 20 grams. The new RH would be (5/20) = 25%.
- Therefore, assuming the actual amount of water vapour doesn't change, statement 3 is correct.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis:
- Statement 1 is correct.
- Statement 2 is incorrect.
- Statement 3 is correct.
Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3.
Similar Questions
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1. Clouds are classified on the basis of altitude and their form.
2. According to altitude they are classified as High, Middle and Low clouds.
3. Stratus, Nimbostratus and Stratocumulus are high clouds.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Which of the following statements regarding air temperature is/are correct?
1. Air temperature is measured at a standard height of 1.2 m ( 4.0 feet) above the ground surface.
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Select the answer using the code given below:
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3. In the Southern Hemisphere, the cyclonic spiral will be clockwise because the Coriolis force acts to the left.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Which of the following statements regarding tropical cyclones is/are correct?
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Select the answer using the code given below:
Which of the following statements regarding the World Climate Types and their relation with Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is/are correct?
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3. The Tropical Monsoonal Climate experiences heavy rainfall as a consequence of the nearness of the ITCZ for much of the year.
Select the answer using the code given below:
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- Nisarga, Gati, Nivar, Tauktae and Yaas are names of
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How many of the above statements is/are correct?
Which one of the following clouds is a rain-bearing cloud?
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Land and sea breeze are caused due to _____________
Which island emerged in the Bay of Bengal in the after math of the Bhola cyclone in 1970?
In India, during October-November, with the apparent movement of the sun towards the south, the ______ over the northern plains becomes weaker.
