Water vapor is a crucial component in the hydrological cycle, creating precipitation and filling lakes and rivers. It can also cause high humidity levels, respiratory problems, and contribute to global warming.
Water vapor is the gaseous form of water that permeates the earth’s atmosphere. This wet gas affects the Earth altering the global climate of the world. The hydrological cycle shows how water becomes steam. This cycle documents the transition of water from a liquid gas to a solid state.
Most of the Earth is covered by ocean water. When the sun hits the ocean surface, the water evaporates upwards to create water vapor. This vapor forms clouds and possible rain storms. Water vapor condenses from rain storm clouds, forming water droplets that fall onto the landforms of the Earth. The vapor can also be overcooled while in the atmosphere, creating hail, ice, or snow.
This vapor is an essential component in creating precipitation in land areas. Plants and animals could not survive without a water supply from the sky, which fills lakes and rivers for consumption. Desert areas, with little or no rainfall, are good examples of what the world would look like if water vapor didn’t contribute to rainfall.
The steam produces the clammy, sticky effect you feel on hot days. Tropical climates, such as those near Earth’s equator, have consistently hot days. The sun’s heat draws more moisture from the nearby ocean, forming more water vapor and producing excessive humidity levels in that region.
Excessive water vapor or high humidity can make a person feel like they can’t breathe. During high humidity, the water molecules in the air are more densely packed together. As a result, a person can feel the weight of moist air, as opposed to a climate of dry air. People who live in areas of high humidity tend to use air conditioning machines to remove moist water droplets and cool the resulting dry air.
Many people use water vapor in their homes in the form of a device, called a humidifier. This device generates steam to moisten the dry air inside a room or house. Respiratory problems can occur in people with pre-existing lung problems and the skin can easily crack in constant dry air, especially during the winter months. Humidifiers are also useful for fighting a cold as they relieve any coughing fits that may occur.
Studies have suggested that water vapor contributes to global warming. Moist air is thought to form a blanket over the earth’s surface and prevent heat from escaping into space. As a result, the world could get even hotter. Excessive atmospheric heat can create more evaporation, exacerbating the global warming problem with further water vapor buildup.
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