Distinguish between absolute humidity and relative humidity.
Difference between absolute humidity and relative humidity
Absolute humidity | Relative humidity | |
1. | Absolute humidity refers to the amount of water vapour present in 1 cubic meter of air under the given conditions. | Relative humidity refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air to the amount of water vapor needed for saturation at the given temperature and pressure. |
2. | It is expressed in kilogram per cubic meter. | It is expressed in percentage and is unitless. |
3. | Absolute humidity is independent of temperature and change in temperature has no effect on absolute humidity. | When the temperature goes up, relative humidity goes down and vice versa. |
4. | Absolute humidity is higher in the equatorial areas and reduces as we go towards the poles. | Relative humidity is more in the mornings and at night and less in the afternoon as the temperature goes up. |