Temperature is the degree or intensity of heat present in a substance or place. Absolute Humidity or atmospheric moisture refers to the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere. Current researches have determined the relationship between relative humidity and temperature in that a change in temperature inversely affects the change in relative humidity. This study is set to determine whether an increase or decrease in temperature will cause the humidity to increase or decrease. My theory is that if temperature increases, the humidity will decrease.
Purpose of the study
The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between temperature and humidity. The study is set to discern whether change in temperature is directly proportional or inversely proportional to the changes in humidity. Fundamentally, the study will determine whether a temperature increase or decrease will cause the humidity to increase or decrease.
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Hypothesis
Null hypothesis: There is no statistically significant relation between temperature changes and changes in humidity
Alternative hypothesis: There is a statistically significant relationship between temperature changes and the change in humidity.
Literature Review
Relative humidity refers to the ratio of amount of water content in the air as compared to the maximum water vapor the air can hold (capacity) at a given temperature. It is important to note that relative humidity does not tell the actual amount of water vapor that is in the air though it tells how close the air is to saturation. According to previous research, relative humidity is inversely related to the air temperature because cold air holds more water. This implies that as temperatures increases, the relative humidity decreases and vice versa. This explains why at high temperatures during midday and in higher altitudes where temperatures are low, relative humidity is highest. Both variables are continuous and measured on an interval scale (Perry and Green, 2015).
A report by Tom Skilling supports the above concept explaining that relative humidity, temperature and dew point are all mathematically related. He explained that since cool air can hold less water vapor than warm air then relative humidity falls with an increase in temperature if no moisture is added to the air, basically, he supports the above phenomenon that temperature changes is inversely proportional to humidity levels (Skilling, 2009).
Determination of the relationship between humidity and temperature is important in various aspects such as for climate control; improve human comfort, in building constructions and in the transport system. Determining how temperature affects humidity is helpful when controlling relative humidity in vehicles, buildings and other enclosed space. This is important to assure human comfort, safety and health. It is also important in meeting the environmental requirements for certain machinery, sensitive materials like historic artifacts and technical processes. High humidity in the air causes the body to transfer heat at a lower rate thus causing distress of waste heat burden on the body while low humidity causes dry cracked skin, dry tissue lining nasal passages which can cause Rhinovirus and nosebleeds though it can be good sometimes to people suffering from certain lung disorders. All in all, high humidity and low humidity have effects on the human body and therefore it is better if the levels are controlled (Arundel, Sterling, Biggin and Sterling, 2006).
Methods
Participants:
No individual participants were used in this research project. I was the only individual available for this research as I collected the data primarily from the environment.
Materials:
An Apple phone
Thermometer application (available on Apple App Store)
Recording material for the read measurements
Design:
This study is an experimental study with random assignment. The study involved naturalistic observation whereby I would go out into the environment and collect the data from the atmospheric readings of temperature and humidity.
Procedure:
Data collection was done on a daily basis using my iPhone. Using a phone app called “Thermometer” (available on the Apple App Store) I was able to gather my variables each day of research. The app provides the current temperature, wind (per mph), humidity, and weather conditions at the exact time of day according to one’s location. I measured the temperature and humidity for a total of fifteen days (November 19-December 3) at exactly 12 p.m. each day. Two continuous variables of the temperature and the humidity (measured on an interval scale) were measured observationally in a public setting.
Results
As noted in the figures above, fluctuations in temperatures did not directly affect the humidity. It seems that the two variables are independent of each other. For example when the temperature was 64, the humidity was 44; when the temperature was 48, the humidity was 37 and when the temperature was 63, the humidity was 33. These values are very random and they do not have any relationship to each other. Plotting a graph using the available data shows that the values are scattered all around the graph making it impossible to determine an association between the two variables.
Discussion
Relative humidity is known to be inversely proportional to temperature changes. However, according to this research, there is no relationship between humidity and temperature; the two values are independent of each other and change in one does not affect the other.
References
Skilling, T. (2009). The Relationship Between Relative Humidity, Temperature And Dew Point. Chicago Tribune Weather Report
Perry R. H. and Green D. W, (2015). Perry’s Chemical Engineer’s Handbook . 7th Edition, McGraw Hill
Arundel, A. V.; Sterling E. M.; Biggin, J. H.; Sterling T. D; (2006). Indirect Health Effects Of Relative Humidity In Indoors Environments. Environment Health Perspective, 65 (1): 351- 361
