TERMIUM Plus®

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MAXIMUM VAPOR PRESSURE [1 record]

Record 1 2002-12-03

English

Subject field(s)
  • Meteorology
  • Hydrology and Hydrography
DEF

Maximum value that the water vapour pressure in air can reach at a given temperature.

OBS

Since in nature, such a "plane surface of pure water" is rarely found and the physico-chemical environment of water vapor is anything but constant, this strict concept of saturation can be very misleading with regard to actual condensation processes; but the conservative base which this definition supplies is required as a comparison standard (as for relative humidity measurements). More specific terminology is often advisedly used, like "saturation with respect to water" or "saturation with respect to ice."

OBS

The saturation vapor pressure is temperature dependent, which differs for a flat or curved liquid surface (such as a spherical droplet).

OBS

The term "saturation vapor pressure" is also used, with a different meaning, as a synonym of "equilibrium vapor pressure.

Key term(s)
  • maximum vapor pressure
  • saturating vapor pressure

French

Domaine(s)
  • Météorologie
  • Hydrologie et hydrographie
CONT

Si dans une enceinte vide (à température ambiante par exemple), on injecte de l'eau, celle-ci va se vaporiser. Au fur et à mesure que la masse d'eau injectée augmente, la pression va monter jusqu'à une limite appelée pression de vapeur saturante (autrefois appelée tension de vapeur).

OBS

La pression de vapeur dans le milieu qui la contient est en général appelée «tension de vapeur».

OBS

En météorologie, on entend par le terme «vapeur» la vapeur d'eau. Si la confusion est possible, on peut préciser en utilisant le terme «pression de vapeur d'eau saturante».

Key term(s)
  • tension de vapeur

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Meteorología
  • Hidrología e hidrografía
DEF

Máxima presión parcial posible del vapor de agua en el aire o atmósfera a una temperatura dada.

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