Luftmettet

Luftmettet is a nonstandard term whose meaning depends on context, generally reflecting the idea that something has reached a state of equilibrium with surrounding air. The word translates loosely as “air-saturated,” but it is not widely used as a formal scientific designation in major reference works. In practice, it appears in various niche or translated texts to describe a condition where a medium has absorbed or equilibrated with the constituents of ambient air.

In meteorology and everyday communication, luftmettet often refers to air saturated with water vapor. At a given temperature, saturated air holds the maximum possible amount of moisture, corresponding to 100 percent relative humidity. If more water vapor were added, condensation would occur, and the air would no longer be luftmettet.

In chemistry and environmental science, the term can describe a liquid or gas that has been equilibrated with surrounding air so that the dissolved gas concentrations match the partial pressures of those gases in the atmosphere. This concept aligns with established principles such as Henry’s law and is relevant for dissolving oxygen in water, carbon dioxide in aqueous solutions, or other gases in experimental setups.

Because luftmettet is not a standardized term, usage varies and precision is often preferable. When clarity is required, more specific expressions such as “saturated air,” “air-saturated with moisture,” or “gas-saturated solution” are typically used.

Related concepts include saturation, relative humidity, dew point, Henry’s law, and gas solubility.