2.2 Weather and Climate
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2.2.2 Humidity
Humidity is the quantity of water vapor in the atmosphere and is among the gaseous
states of water. It depicts the probability of fog, dew, and precipitation. There
are three major humidity measurements: specific, relative, relative and absolute
(Lydolph 1985). Absolute humidity refers to the content of water in the air that is
expressed in grams per kg/m 3 . Relative humidity, on the other hand, is a percentage
that measures the existing absolute humidity compared to the maximum for that
temperature, while specific humidity refers to the weight of water vapor in a unit
weight of air expressed as grams of water vapor per kilogram of air.
Which is the commonly used measurement of humidity?
2.2.3 Wind
This refers to the flow of gases, and on the Earth’s surface, it comprises the
movement of air. Simply put, wind is the movement of air molecules. It is attributed
to the uneven heating of the surface of the Earth. Outer space also experiences
wind; for example, the solar wind is depicted as the movement of gases from the
Sun (Lydolph 1985). Typically, winds are categorized according to their types,
spatial scale, the force that creates them as well as the regions where they occur.
They are characterized by velocity, the density of the gas involved, wind energy,
or content. In ecology, wind significantly influences the various stages of plant life,
including growth, death, distribution, reproductionas well as evolution. Wind has
further numerous impacts, including the destruction of forests, crops, and erosion
of the soil. While plants are still seedlings, slight breezes enable them to grow
sturdier. However, winds at high speed can damage and blow down the strongest
trees. Depending on the place you live, this storm damage can occur at any time.
Winter winds are particularly damaging since plants cannot replace the water they
lose.
What triggers the wind to blow? Define a dust devil. What is the significance
of the wind to the planet?
31
2.2.2 Humidity
Humidity is the quantity of water vapor in the atmosphere and is among the gaseous
states of water. It depicts the probability of fog, dew, and precipitation. There
are three major humidity measurements: specific, relative, relative and absolute
(Lydolph 1985). Absolute humidity refers to the content of water in the air that is
expressed in grams per kg/m 3 . Relative humidity, on the other hand, is a percentage
that measures the existing absolute humidity compared to the maximum for that
temperature, while specific humidity refers to the weight of water vapor in a unit
weight of air expressed as grams of water vapor per kilogram of air.
Which is the commonly used measurement of humidity?
2.2.3 Wind
This refers to the flow of gases, and on the Earth’s surface, it comprises the
movement of air. Simply put, wind is the movement of air molecules. It is attributed
to the uneven heating of the surface of the Earth. Outer space also experiences
wind; for example, the solar wind is depicted as the movement of gases from the
Sun (Lydolph 1985). Typically, winds are categorized according to their types,
spatial scale, the force that creates them as well as the regions where they occur.
They are characterized by velocity, the density of the gas involved, wind energy,
or content. In ecology, wind significantly influences the various stages of plant life,
including growth, death, distribution, reproductionas well as evolution. Wind has
further numerous impacts, including the destruction of forests, crops, and erosion
of the soil. While plants are still seedlings, slight breezes enable them to grow
sturdier. However, winds at high speed can damage and blow down the strongest
trees. Depending on the place you live, this storm damage can occur at any time.
Winter winds are particularly damaging since plants cannot replace the water they
lose.
What triggers the wind to blow? Define a dust devil. What is the significance
of the wind to the planet?