Sättigungsdrücke

Sättigungsdrücke, also known as saturation vapor pressure, refers to the maximum amount of water vapor that air can hold at a specific temperature and pressure. This is a fundamental concept in meteorology and thermodynamics.

When air reaches its saturation point, it cannot hold any more water vapor. Any additional water vapor will condense into liquid water, forming clouds, fog, or dew. The saturation vapor pressure increases with temperature. This means that warmer air can hold more water vapor than colder air.

The relationship between saturation vapor pressure and temperature is exponential and can be described by various empirical formulas, such as the Clausius-Clapeyron equation, though simpler approximations are often used in practice. This pressure is a key component in calculating relative humidity, which is the ratio of the actual water vapor pressure to the saturation vapor pressure at a given temperature, expressed as a percentage.

Understanding saturation vapor pressure is crucial for predicting weather phenomena like precipitation, as it dictates the potential for condensation. It also plays a role in various industrial processes, from drying to refrigeration, where controlling moisture content is essential.