Date: 2080-11-14

Lab 1: Atmospheric Thermodynamics Lab

Thermodynamics Properties of Air
Introduction
Saturation water vapor pressure is the pressure at which water vapor is in thermodynamic
equilibrium with its condensed state. Saturation vapor pressure is a function of temperature and
whether the condensed phase is liquid or solid. At pressures higher than vapor pressure, water
would condense, while at lower pressures it would evaporate or sublimate. The saturation vapor
pressure of water increases with increasing temperature and can be determined with the
Clausius- Clapeyron relation.
Objective
 Calculate and plot saturated water vapor over water and ice using Clausius-Clapeyron
Equation.
Theory:
The Clausius-Clapeyron equation gives the saturation vapor pressure over a plane surface of
water as a function of temperature:

e s=e so exp
[ ( )]
Lv 1 1
−
Rv T v T
----------------- (1)

Where:
es: is saturation water vapor pressure over water,
eso: 6.11 hPa
T0: 273.15 K
T: is a temperature
Lv: is a latent heat of vaporization (2.501 x 106 J/kg)
Rv: is water vapor gas constant (461.5 k kg-1 K-1)
The Clausius-Clapeyron equation also gives the saturation vapor pressure over ice as a function
of temperature.

e si =e so exp
[ ( )]
Lv 1 1
−
Rv T v T
--------------- (2)

Where:
esi: is saturation water vapour pressure over ice,
eso: 6.11 hPa

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 Date: 2080-11-14

T0: 273.15 K
T: is a temperature
Lv: is a specific latent heat of sublimation (2.834 x 106 J/kg)
Rv: is water vapor gas constant (461.5 k kg-1 K-1)
LCL
The LCL is the pressure level a parcel of air reaches saturation by lifting the parcel from a
particular pressure level. A rising parcel of air cools, thus the Relative humidity (RH) increases
inside a rising unsaturated parcel. Once the RH first reaches 100% in the parcel, the LCL occurs
there.
Analysis and Conclusions:
1. Explain the profile of the saturated water vapor water for temperature ranges of -
30˚C to +40˚C.
Answer: The profile of the saturated water vapor water for temperature ranges of -30˚C to
+40˚C is explained as below:

Saturation vapor pressure vs Temperature

90.00
80.00
Saturation Vapor pressure

70.00
60.00
50.00
40.00
30.00
20.00
10.00
0.00
-40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50

Temperature

Figure (1): Saturation water vapor pressure over ice and water temperature in °C
Over Water:
 At lower temperatures (e.g., -30°C), the saturation vapor pressure over water is relatively
low. As the temperature increases, the saturation vapor pressure also increases. This
means that at higher temperatures, more water vapor can exist in the air before it reaches
saturation.

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 Date: 2080-11-14

 Near 0°C, the saturation vapor pressure starts to rise more rapidly, and water vapor can
readily saturate the air. At this point, the air is more conducive to cloud formation and
precipitation.
 As the temperature continues to rise beyond 0°C, the saturation vapor pressure over water
increases significantly. Warmer air can hold more moisture, leading to higher humidity
levels.
2. Explain the profile of the saturated water vapor water and ice for temperature
ranges of -30˚C to 0˚C.
Answer: The profile of the saturated water vapor water and ice for temperature ranges of -
30˚C to 0˚C as explained as;

Saturation vapor pressure

over water (Red) and Ice (Blue)
7.00

6.00
Saturation Vapor Pressure

5.00

4.00

3.00

2.00

1.00

0.00
-30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
Temperature
es esi

Figure (2): Saturation vapor pressure over ice and water in °C.
Saturation vapor pressure over water is greater than that over ice. Fewer molecules of ice
sublimate to vapor than molecules of water evaporate because of the greater energy required for
the water.
In summary, over water, the saturation vapor pressure increases more rapidly with temperature,
allowing for higher humidity levels compared to over ice. The transition from ice to water at 0°C
is marked by a notable increase in saturation vapor pressure, contributing to changes in weather
patterns and atmospheric conditions.
Q1. What did you learn about saturation vapor pressure by completing the activity?
Answer: I understand that saturation vapor pressure is a major concept in thermodynamics
which represents the equilibrium between water vapor and its condensed states (liquid or solid)
at different temperatures. Additionally, saturation vapor pressure is influenced by temperature
and can be calculated using the Clausius-Clapeyron relation. At higher pressures than that of the

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 Date: 2080-11-14

vapor pressure, water condenses, while at lower pressures, it evaporates or sublimates. The
saturation vapor pressure of water increases with rising temperatures.

Q2. Why saturated vapor pressure over water is higher than saturated vapor pressure over
ice at the same temperature?
Answer: Saturated vapor pressure over water is higher than over ice at the same temperature due
to differences in the molecular structure and behavior of water in its liquid and solid states. Here
the key factor is the latent heat of fusion, which is the amount of heat energy required to change
a substance from a solid to a liquid without a changes in its temperature.
When water change its phase from a liquid to solid state (freezing), it releases latent heat. In this
case of ice turning into water vapor, it requires more energy to change phase from solid to a
gaseous state. As a result, the saturation vapor pressure over ice is lower because of latent heat of
fusion to overcome the energy, as they pushing the energy required for sublimation (solid to
vapor).

References
Wallance , J. M., & Hobbs, P. V. (1940). Atmospheric Science An Introductory Survey.
Amsterdam: Elsevier.

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