Myth: Moist Air is Heavier Then Dry Air

Myth: Moist air is heavier then dry air. We assume moist, humid air to be heavier because we, humans, feel more weighted down when the dew point temperatures are high. This is because if the sweat on our bodies can't evaporate, then our bodies can't cool and in term feel weighted down by the air around us.


Answer: False. Dry air is HEAVIER then moist air.

The Science: Well this sound just outrages doesn't it! But hold on let me explain.  Moist air is lighter because moist air which contains water molecules displace the nitrogen and oxygen molecules that exist in dry air. Nitrogen and Oxygen molecules are heavier than a water molecule, so more water molecules and less nitrogen and oxygen molecules, in a defined space would actually make the moist air lighter then dry air.

So next time someones says ugh the air is so heavy today, because it is humid outside you can tell them that actually it is lighter than usual!

Happy Monday! Hope you enjoy the picture of Lenticular Clouds over Mt. Rainier in Washington State.

Picture by: astronet.ru
Info From: poultryventilation.com