Estimate Mass H2O Vapor in 1 m^3 Air at +20°C

  • Thread starter Thread starter Orbital
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Absolute Humidity
Click For Summary
To estimate the mass of water vapor in 1 m³ of saturated air at 20°C, the saturation pressure for water vapor at this temperature is essential. The ideal gas law can be applied using the formula m_{H2O} = P_{sat, H2O} / (R_{H2O}T), but attention to units is crucial for accuracy. The discussion highlights a potential issue with the phrasing of the problem, suggesting it may not be physically correct. Clarification on the problem's wording is necessary to ensure proper understanding and application of the concepts. Accurate calculations depend on both the correct use of the ideal gas law and the precise definition of saturation in this context.
Orbital
Messages
12
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Estimate the mass of water vapor that is contained in 1 m^3 of saturated air at a temperature of plus 20 degrees Celsius

2. The attempt at a solution
I looked up the saturation pressure for water vapor at the given temperature. Can I just use the ideal gas-law for the mass? i.e. is the solution as simple as
m_{H_2O} = \frac{P_{sat, H_2O}}{R_{H_2O}T}
or do I have to make another approach?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
yes this looks right, but -as usual- be careful with the units
 
Last edited:
Can you tell me why the phrasing of the problem is physically incorrect?
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
24
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K