The Effects of Relative Humidity on the Evaporation Rate of Organic Liquids
Evaporation is a central component of the water cycle. Evaporation allows water into the air, which can then be transferred back to the earth through precipitation, such as rain or snow. The rate of evaporation of organic liquids is dependent on a number of factors, including relative humidity.
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Humidity
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Humidity is the amount of water vapor found in the air, and is referred to as relative humidity. It is expressed in a percentage. For example, if an area is at 100 percent humidity, the air is saturated with water. This causes some of it to condense into precipitation, such as rain. Humidity is part of the natural water cycle.
Evaporation
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Evaporation is the process by which water gets into the atmosphere from the earth. The rate of evaporation for liquids depends on the temperature of the surrounding air. The higher the temperature, the faster the evaporation. In cases of evaporation from natural bodies of water, such as lakes and oceans, the wind speed also affects the rate of evaporation. The higher the wind speed, the faster the evaporation occurs. Humidity is also a factor in the evaporation process.
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High Humidity
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When humidity is high, there is more water vapor in the atmosphere. This can be caused by the weather, such as a rain storm, or because of bodies of water nearby, such as at a coast or near a lake. Higher humidity also occurs in air at a higher temperature regardless of the relative humidity percentage. For example, if a forecast for a city is 80 degrees and 100 percent humidity, there is more water in the air than if the forecast for the same city was 50 degrees and 100 percent humidity.
Low Humidity
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When humidity is low, there is less water vapor in the atmosphere. Desert areas, for example, often have low humidity. In desert areas there are fewer bodies of water to evaporate and contribute to the water vapor in the atmosphere. This leads to less precipitation, as well, so there is less water in the overall water cycle.
Effects of Humidity on Evaporation
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The relative humidity of the air has a direct effect on the rate of evaporation for organic liquids. If an area has high humidity, the rate of evaporation will be slower. As the relative humidity approaches 100 percent, there is less of a need for water vapor in the air. Conversely, if the relative humidity is low, the rate of evaporation will be higher.
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