1. What is Saturation Vapor Pressure?

Saturation vapor pressure is the pressure exerted by water vapor in thermodynamic equilibrium with its condensed phases at a given temperature. It represents the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold at a specific temperature.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Magnus formula:

Where:

• \( e_s \) — Saturation vapor pressure (hPa)
• \( T \) — Temperature (°C)
• 6.112 — Base vapor pressure at 0°C (hPa)
• 17.67, 243.5 — Empirical constants

Explanation: The equation describes how saturation vapor pressure increases exponentially with temperature.

3. Importance of Saturation Vapor Pressure

Details: Saturation vapor pressure is fundamental in meteorology for calculating humidity, predicting precipitation, and understanding atmospheric processes. It's also important in engineering applications like HVAC design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the temperature in degrees Celsius. The calculator will compute the saturation vapor pressure in hectopascals (hPa).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between vapor pressure and saturation vapor pressure?
A: Vapor pressure is the actual pressure of water vapor in air, while saturation vapor pressure is the maximum possible vapor pressure at a given temperature.

Q2: How does temperature affect saturation vapor pressure?
A: Saturation vapor pressure increases exponentially with temperature - warmer air can hold much more water vapor than cooler air.

Q3: What are typical values of saturation vapor pressure?
A: At 0°C it's 6.11 hPa, at 20°C about 23.4 hPa, and at 30°C about 42.4 hPa.

Q4: Why is this important for weather forecasting?
A: It helps determine relative humidity and dew point, which are critical for predicting fog, clouds, and precipitation.

Q5: Are there other formulas for saturation vapor pressure?
A: Yes, there are several formulations (e.g., Goff-Gratch, Wexler) but the Magnus formula is widely used for its simplicity and accuracy.