Why is it more likely to feel sticky in summer than in winter?
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Because warm air can always hold less water vapor than cool air.
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Because warm air can always hold more water vapor than cool air.
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Because relative humidity is always higher in summer than in winter.
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Because relative humidity is always lower in summer than in winter.
The correct answer is: Because warm air can always hold more water vapor than cool air.
To understand why it is more likely to feel sticky in summer than in winter, we need to consider the concept of relative humidity. Relative humidity is a measurement of how much moisture the air holds compared to the maximum amount it can hold at a given temperature.
In warm air, there is more energy available to evaporate water, allowing the air to hold more water vapor. As a result, warm air can hold a higher absolute amount of water vapor than cool air. When the air is saturated with moisture and cannot hold any more, it becomes humid.
During the summer, the temperature is generally higher, and warm air has a greater capacity to hold moisture. This means that, in summer, the air can hold more water vapor before reaching its saturation point. As a result, the relative humidity tends to be higher in summer than in winter, even if the amount of moisture in the air is the same.
When the relative humidity is high, our bodies may have a harder time evaporating sweat effectively. The moisture in the air slows down the evaporation process, leading to a sticky feeling on our skin. This is why it is more likely to feel sticky in summer when the air has a higher capacity to hold water vapor compared to the cooler air in winter.