What device measures humidity?

A hygrometer is an instrument used for measuring the water vapor in the atmosphere. The first crude hygrometer was invented by the Italian Renaissance polymath Leonardo da Vinci in 1480 and a more modern version was created by Swiss polymath Johann Heinrich Lambert in 1755.

The maximum amount of water vapor that can be held in a given volume of air (saturation) varies greatly by temperature; cold air can hold less mass of water per unit volume than hot air. Most instruments respond to (or are calibrated to read) relative humidity (RH), which is the amount of water relative to the maximum at a particular temperature expressed as per cent.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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29 Comments

billyboy915

Maria Celia, It's used all the time. How do you think weather forecasters are able to tell you about the relative humidity?

Ed Taber

I'm glad one of the answers wasn't Sphygmomanometer! Who wants to measure a sphygmomano anyway?

lucasmats

"Is someone having a "bad hair day"?" Hygroscopy was an old time hygrometer. It was based on hair being hygroscopic Hygroscopic means tending to retain moisture. Hair was used as a tension sensor as it was able to.change its length with humidity Hydrometer measures specific gravity of liquids which tell you whether you would sink or float in a vat of it. By the way, thank you, RSL, for running interference for me

illonabird

Rob Farr, I have a smart phone. Gives me temperature, pressure, pollen count, air quality and, oh yeah, humidity. Also makes phone calls and let’s me play this game at work.

Suzanne Wilson

I knew it because I very recently received a flyer that advertised them for home use to be used in conjunction with a salt therapy device which is adversely affected by high humidity. (It pays to read my junk mail!)

Sal Campion

tesla alset, Why have you felt the need to put up three comments on here stating exactly the same each time!

Janis Willis

I am so pissed off with that advertising blurb which appears on my left hand of the screen even though I hit the cancel button.

Suraya Choudhury

I got it !

ninakamwene

Bummer I can't believe I miss this one! Bad job Nina!

Jeannie Ellis

Ed Taber, that’s a blood pressure cuff. You might have had that measured quite often!

Rob Farr

Every home should have one ... great question ... thanks

EIFEL

👍🏼✨

Daniel O'Connor

Not very interesting.

Mallory

Really? NEXT question

Val Wilkinson

Of course they are frequently used Maria Celia, just not by you!!

Cheryl McMeekin

Lucky guess, yeah!!!

patrhea

High school science. I was too quick to click "barometer " which measures atmospheric pressure that can indicate a coming storm and was most familiar to me.