Question

What is the relationship between high relative humidity and the feeling of discomfort in the summer?

A. High relative humidity causes discomfort due to excessive sweating
B. High relative humidity increases the perception of heat
C. High relative humidity enhances evaporative cooling, reducing discomfort
D. High relative humidity has no impact on the feeling of discomfort

Answer 1

Our body produces sweat to help keep us cool, but that only works if the sweat evaporates, because evaporation is a cooling process. So when the relative humidity of the air is high, meaning the air has a high moisture content, the sweat evaporation process slows down. The result? It feels hotter to you.

Answer 2

High relative humidity increases the perception of heat during summer because it inhibits the evaporation of sweat, which is the body's natural cooling process, leading to increased discomfort (B).

Step-by-step explanation:

The relationship between high relative humidity and the feeling of discomfort in the summer is that it increases the perception of heat. This is because when relative humidity is high, the air is saturated with water vapor, which inhibits evaporation of sweat from the skin. Our bodies rely on this evaporation for cooling, so when it's impaired, we can't cool down as effectively, leading us to feel hotter.

Relative humidity is a measure of how much water vapor is present in the air compared to the maximum amount the air can hold at a given temperature. At 100% relative humidity, the air is fully saturated, meaning sweat does not evaporate efficiently, and we feel more discomfort. Additionally, high humidity can make the air feel oppressive because the body's natural cooling mechanism is less effective, causing excessive sweating without the relief of cooling.