NAEP Science Grade 12

Category - Earth Science

The psychrometer is based on which of the following principles?
  1. Relative humidity can be calculated by comparing the evaporative cooling that occurs in a particular location to the air temperature.
  2. The apparent temperature can be determined by comparing the actual temperature in a location with the relative humidity.
  3. The density of an air mass can be calculated by comparing the molecular weight of dry air to the molecular weight of the actual air.
  4. The adiabatic cooling of an air mass can be determined by comparing the actual pressure in a location to the theoretical sea-level pressure.
Explanation
Correct Response: A. The traditional sling psychrometer consists of two thermometers attached to a handle in a way that allows the thermometer to be spun rapidly. The two thermometers are identical except that one of the thermometers is covered in a wick that is moistened (the wet-bulb thermometer). As the device is spun, the water in the wick evaporates and evaporative cooling reduces the temperature of the wet-bulb thermometer. The difference in the temperature recorded by the two thermometers is used to calculate the relative humidity. Apparent temperature (B) is perceived temperature and its calculation takes into account relative humidity and wind speed, but it is not related to the working principle of a psychrometer. Air mass density is not an underlying principle upon which a psychrometer works (C) and air-pressure is not involved in psychrometer calculations or the underlying principle of the psychrometer's operation (D). 
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