What is a hygrometer?
Q: What is a hygrometer?
A: A hygrometer is a meteorological instrument used to measure the humidity of the air.
Q: How does a hygrometer work?
A: A hygrometer works by using a material that attracts moisture. This material changes depending on how hydrated it is. A hygrometer has two bulbs: one wet and one dry. Both bulbs are like thermometers, though one is covered with a wet or dry towel. After a period of time, the water on the bulb evaporates and at that time, the temperature is measured on each bulb. The difference between the temperatures is noted.
Q: What is relative humidity?
A: Relative humidity is a ratio, so it has no unit.
Q: How is relative humidity calculated?
A: Each of the temperatures are used on a chart to find the relative humidity of that temperature and area.
Q: What does a small difference between the temperature of the bulbs show?
A: A small difference between the temperature of the bulbs shows a high relative humidity coming from a low evaporation rate.
Q: What does a large difference in temperature show?
A: In dry air, evaporation takes place faster showing a large difference in temperature thus giving a low relative humidity.
Q: How many bulbs does a hygrometer have?
A: A hygrometer has two bulbs: one wet and one dry.
