How is relative humidity defined?

Relative humidity is defined as the ratio of the actual water vapor content in a gas to its corresponding saturated capacity, expressed as a percentage. This definition captures the concept that relative humidity reflects the current state of moisture in the air compared to the maximum amount of moisture the air can hold at a specific temperature. As temperature increases, the capacity of air to hold moisture also increases, meaning that relative humidity can indicate how close the air is to being saturated.

This distinction is crucial for understanding weather patterns, comfort levels in different environments, and various respiratory care applications. For example, in clinical settings, maintaining appropriate levels of relative humidity in inhaled air can affect patient comfort and outcomes, especially for those with respiratory conditions.