Psychrometric chart reading: On a standard psychrometric chart, the constant relative humidity lines are:

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Curved lines (approximately concave to the humidity ratio axis)

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Accurate reading of a psychrometric chart is fundamental for HVAC design, cooling tower analysis, and dehumidification calculations. Each family of lines corresponds to a different air property.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Standard psychrometric chart at 1 atm.
  • Dry-bulb temperature plotted on the abscissa; humidity ratio on the ordinate.
  • Other property lines (wet-bulb, RH, enthalpy, specific volume) are overlaid.


Concept / Approach:
Constant relative humidity (RH) lines are curved, intersecting dry-bulb verticals and trending toward the saturation curve (100% RH). Their curvature reflects Clausius–Clapeyron behaviour of water vapour pressure versus temperature.



Step-by-Step Solution:

Identify saturation curve (100% RH) as the left boundary of the chart’s state region.Trace RH = 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 90% lines: they bow and converge toward the saturation curve.Contrast with other families: dry-bulb lines are vertical; humidity ratio lines are horizontal; wet-bulb lines are quasi-straight slanted.Thus, RH lines are definitively curved.


Verification / Alternative check:
Consult any standard chart; the geometry is consistent across references though exact spacing is non-uniform due to property equations.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Vertical/horizontal descriptors apply to DBT and humidity ratio, not RH.
  • “Horizontal non-uniform” describes enthalpy or wet-bulb trends poorly; RH is not horizontal.


Common Pitfalls:
Mistaking wet-bulb lines (near straight slanted) for RH; always locate the saturation curve first to orient the chart.



Final Answer:
Curved lines (approximately concave to the humidity ratio axis)

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