Question about draft (probably wind blowing up in your room)

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    Draft Wind
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of draft in a room, specifically whether opening one window while keeping the door closed can create a draft. Participants explore the definitions and conditions that contribute to air movement within a closed space, comparing it to wind and discussing the role of temperature and pressure differentials.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that a draft is a gentle wind or air flow resulting from external wind or internal pressure differentials.
  • Others argue that drafts can be caused by natural convection, where cooler air displaces warmer air, or by forced convection from a fan.
  • A participant questions whether opening one window can create a draft, citing advice that two windows must be opened in different rooms to achieve this effect.
  • It is noted that the effectiveness of creating a draft depends on external conditions, such as the temperature and pressure of the outside air compared to the inside air.
  • Some participants suggest that if the outside air is cooler, opening a window can facilitate air movement, but the presence of still air outside may prevent a draft.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether a draft can be created by opening just one window with the door closed. There is no consensus on the necessity of having two windows open to create a draft.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights various assumptions about air density, pressure, and temperature, as well as the definitions of draft and wind, which may not be universally agreed upon.

Physicsissuef
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Hello! :smile:

I have one mysterious question. I have room 25 m2, and I want to made draft, by opening one window and my door to be closed, so I will have closed space with only one window open. What is actually draft? Is it same with wind? Draft = circling of hot and cold air?

Thank you.
 
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A draft is basically a very light or gentle wind. In the context of a home or building interior, it refers to air flow which may result from a wind (external) or some pressure differential within the home/building or room.

It could also be a manifestation of natural convection where cooler or drier air displaces warmer or moister air, i.e. denser air displaces less dense air.

A draft could also be caused by forced convection, i.e. the air flow from a fan.
 
So, with opening one window in normal circumstances, I could cause a draft? Why some people say that I must open the window from other room, to open my door, and to open the window of my room to cause draft?
 
It depends on a number of conditions, e.g. if the air outside is still and at about the same density and pressure as the air in the room, then one will likely not have a draft in the room. If air outside is cooler than inside the room, one can make a small opening in the top and bottom of the window, and the cooler outside air would flow into the room while the warmer air would flow out, and that would cause some draft as the air convects by natural circulation.

If the wind is blowing, the opening a window may cause a draft in the room, especially if the house/building is not air-tight.
 
Lets say that the air outside is cooler than inside the room, can I make draft only with opening one window and the door of my room to be closed? Why people say that there must be two windows from two different rooms to make draft?
 

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