4.1. Assumptions

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is an ideal gas mixture?

   Hint

   Think about behavior without any forces between gas particles.

2. 2.

   What does it mean for water vapor to be unsaturated?

   Hint

   Consider when condensation happens.

3. 3.

   What does the assumption of ideal gas allow us to do in psychrometry?

   • Calculate real gas effects
   • Simplify calculations
   • Ignore atmospheric conditions

   Hint

   Think about what ideal gas laws achieve.

4. 4.

   True or False: Unsaturated vapor cannot condense.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider the definition of saturation.

5. 5.

   You are designing an air conditioning unit for a humid climate. How would the assumptions of ideal gas behavior and unsaturated vapor impact your design choices?

   Hint

   Consider the interactions between temperature and humidity.

6. 6.

   Examine the consequences of mistakenly treating water vapor as saturated in a low-humidity environment. What maladaptations could arise in your HVAC design?

   Hint

   Reflect on the definitions of saturated vs unsaturated states.