How Does Altitude Affect Humidity Sensor Readings?

[oobgular]

Homework Statement

So I sent a humidity sensor up in a weather balloon, which gave a reading for relative humidity. I eventually want an absolute humidity, but I am unsure whether I need to correct the output based on the changing density and atmospheric pressure with altitude.

Homework Equations

As I understand it:
RH = (% volume of water) * atmospheric pressure / vapor pressure.
AH = mass of water / volume of air.

The Attempt at a Solution

I want to obtain the %volume of water, and multiply by the density profile of air to obtain the absolute humidity profile.

The vapor pressure changes with height (I think) since the temperature and density changes, moving you to a different spot on the vapor dome. The atmospheric pressure also changes. So is atmospheric pressure / vapor pressure a constant? If not, how can I account for that to get the % volume of water?

Thanks!

 

[Chestermiller]

Do you know how to get the atmospheric pressure as a function of altitude?

 

[oobgular]

Yes, I can just assume the exponential atmosphere. It's the vapor pressure I'm confused about-- doesn't it change with temperature and density as well?

 

[Chestermiller]

Yes, I can just assume the exponential atmosphere. It's the vapor pressure I'm confused about-- doesn't it change with temperature and density as well?

It changes with temperature only.

 

[Chestermiller]

You can get a more accurate pressure profile by measuring it directly, or by knowing the temperature profile and applying the barotropic equation.