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Partial Pressure of Water Vapor Equation:
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The partial pressure of water vapor (e) represents the pressure exerted by water vapor in a mixture of gases. It's a crucial parameter in meteorology, HVAC systems, and various scientific applications where humidity measurements are important.
The calculator uses the partial pressure equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation calculates the actual vapor pressure by multiplying the saturation vapor pressure (maximum possible at given temperature) by the relative humidity expressed as a decimal fraction.
Details: Calculating partial pressure of water vapor is essential for determining absolute humidity, dew point temperature, and understanding various atmospheric processes and industrial applications involving moisture control.
Tips: Enter relative humidity as a percentage (0-100%) and saturation vapor pressure in hPa. The saturation vapor pressure depends on temperature and can be calculated using various empirical formulas.
Q1: What is saturation vapor pressure?
A: Saturation vapor pressure is the maximum pressure of water vapor that can exist at a given temperature without condensation occurring.
Q2: How does temperature affect vapor pressure?
A: Saturation vapor pressure increases exponentially with temperature, meaning warmer air can hold significantly more water vapor.
Q3: What units are used for vapor pressure?
A: Vapor pressure is typically measured in hectopascals (hPa) or millibars (mb), which are equivalent (1 hPa = 1 mb).
Q4: How is this different from dew point?
A: Dew point is the temperature at which air becomes saturated, while vapor pressure is the actual pressure exerted by water vapor in the air.
Q5: Why is partial pressure important in meteorology?
A: Partial pressure of water vapor is fundamental for calculating humidity parameters, predicting fog and precipitation, and understanding atmospheric thermodynamics.