2006-09-04 22:27:36 · 10 answers · asked by sonali 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
You are wrong.
HUMID AIR IS LIGHTER THAN DRY AIR.
This is due to the fact that a molecule of water, H2O(which is present in humid air), weighs less than molecules of Nitrogen (N2) and Oxygen (O2)(which is present in dry air).
Consider a cubic metre of perfectly dry air. It contains about 78% nitrogen molecules, which each have an atomic weight of 28. Another 21% of the air is oxygen, with each molecule having an atomic weight of 32. The final one percent is a mixture of other gases. If molecules of water vapour replace the diatomic nitrogen or oxygen molecules in this fixed volume, then the weight of the air decreases, and hence the density decreases.
This may seem counterintuitive as water is commonly perceived to be much heavier than air. It is true that liquid water is heavier than air. However, the water that makes the air humid is not liquid, it is water vapor, which is lighter than nitrogen or oxygen gas.
2006-09-04 22:42:26 · answer #1 · answered by magicrajesh 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Humid air is actually lighter than dry air, because water vapor is generally lighter than the other molecules in the atmosphere.
The Earth's atmosphere is about 80-percent nitrogen, which naturally forms a nitrogen molecule with an atomic weight of 28. Most of the rest of the atmosphere is oxygen, which forms a molecule with an atomic weight of 32. Water is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, and has an atomic weight of 18. This means that water vapor is lighter than nitrogen or oxygen at standard temperatures and pressures, and it will then rise.
The fact that water vapor rises -- weighs less than most of the atmosphere -- can be seen in the clouds, which would not form if water vapor was heaver than dry air.
2006-09-04 22:37:30 · answer #2 · answered by pvreditor 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Humid air means that there is a lot of water in the air - in gaseous form. That water is heavier than if there was no water (low humidity). This of course changes when the temperature changes - the ability of air to hold water is dependant up its temperature among other factors - this principle gives us the dew point, the temperature at which that gas will turn to liquid, and rain.
2006-09-04 22:30:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Humid air
2016-03-26 22:44:55 · answer #4 · answered by Nancy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Air consists of gases and particles. Humid air has more water in it than dry air. The greater the humidity, greater the weight of the air, provided the temperature, pressure and all other components of gas and particles are the same.
2006-09-04 22:37:49 · answer #5 · answered by happy_uttam 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Humid air is heavier because H2O clumps at temps below boiling point. Meterorologists are eternally confused on this issue.
Do you have any evidence that moisture in the atmosphere is mono-molecular?
http://wp.me/p4JijN-3d
2014-08-20 15:13:23 · answer #6 · answered by Solving 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is the differance between humid air and dry air
Humid air has moisturre suspended in it dry air is call such becaue it doesn't have such quanities of moristure. Hence in actually the differance you are measuring is the weight of water.
2006-09-04 22:37:12 · answer #7 · answered by cashflow_2000 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Its simple....
Humid means air containg small water droplets...
therefore its heavier than dry air cause dry air doesn't contain water droplets
2006-09-04 22:36:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
humid air have more water vapour
2006-09-05 00:21:50 · answer #9 · answered by curious 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
how the hell did u get that conclusion? there'z no way u can compare the weight of dry and wet air ...its only air...if air could be changed we wouldn't be probably still alive
2006-09-04 22:37:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋