Electricity in humid vs. dry air?

[canuck111]

Why would an electric device (lets say a widget maker which creates widgets by using air and trace elements inside the widget maker and is connected to electric power to produce widgets) use less electricity per widget produced in a humid environment like houston rather then a dry one like flagstaff?

 

[russ_watters]

Dunno - might depend on what the device is doing rather than the conditions the motor is spinning in. I don't know that I've ever seen a motor with a temperature vs efficiency curve.

 

[astrokreng]

There are several factors that can affect the amount of electricity used by an electric device, such as a widget maker, in different environments. One of the main factors is the humidity level in the air. Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air, and it can have a significant impact on the electrical conductivity of the air.

In a humid environment like Houston, the air is more saturated with water vapor compared to a dry environment like Flagstaff. This means that the air in Houston has a higher moisture content, which can increase its electrical conductivity. This increased conductivity allows electricity to flow more easily through the air, resulting in less resistance and therefore, less electricity being used by the widget maker.

On the other hand, in a dry environment like Flagstaff, the air has a lower moisture content, which can decrease its electrical conductivity. This means that the air acts as a better insulator and can impede the flow of electricity, resulting in more resistance and therefore, more electricity being used by the widget maker.

Additionally, in a humid environment, the water vapor in the air can act as a natural coolant, helping to dissipate heat from the widget maker. This can reduce the amount of energy needed to cool the device, further decreasing the overall electricity usage.

In conclusion, the higher humidity level in Houston can result in less electricity being used by the widget maker compared to a dry environment like Flagstaff. This is due to the increased electrical conductivity of the air and the natural cooling effect of water vapor in humid environments.