What is the function of a sling psychrometer?

A sling psychrometer is a meteorological instrument that provides critical data for understanding humidity in the atmosphere. It consists of two thermometers: one measures the air temperature (the dry bulb), while the other has a wet wick wrapped around its bulb (the wet bulb). By swinging the psychrometer around, the evaporation from the wet bulb lowers its temperature, allowing users to determine the relative humidity and the dew point by comparing the readings of both thermometers.

The calculation involves using the difference in temperature between the wet and dry bulbs, which directly correlates to humidity levels. This method is reliable and provides valuable insights for various applications, such as weather forecasting and environmental monitoring. Understanding these humidity levels is crucial for predicting weather patterns, assessing comfort levels in indoor spaces, and studying climate changes. Thus, the function of a sling psychrometer is fundamentally about measuring dew point and relative humidity.