Actual Mixing Ratio Equation:
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The mixing ratio (MR) is the ratio of the mass of water vapor to the mass of dry air in a parcel of air. It's a fundamental measurement in meteorology for quantifying atmospheric moisture content.
The calculator uses the mixing ratio equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation calculates how much water vapor is present in a given mass of dry air, which is crucial for understanding atmospheric processes.
Details: The mixing ratio is used in weather forecasting, climate studies, and atmospheric research. It helps determine air parcel characteristics and is conserved in adiabatic processes.
Tips: Enter vapor pressure (e) and atmospheric pressure (P) in hPa. Both values must be positive, and P must be greater than e for valid results.
Q1: What's the difference between mixing ratio and specific humidity?
A: Mixing ratio compares water vapor to dry air only, while specific humidity compares water vapor to total air mass. Both are measures of moisture content but with different denominators.
Q2: What are typical mixing ratio values?
A: Values range from near 0 g/kg in cold, dry air to about 20 g/kg in very warm, humid conditions.
Q3: Why is 0.622 used in the equation?
A: It's the ratio of the molecular weight of water vapor (18.016 g/mol) to that of dry air (28.966 g/mol).
Q4: Can mixing ratio exceed the saturation mixing ratio?
A: No, the actual mixing ratio cannot exceed the saturation mixing ratio for a given temperature and pressure.
Q5: How does mixing ratio change with altitude?
A: Generally decreases with altitude as both temperature and pressure decrease, though local variations occur due to atmospheric processes.