Using a psychrometric chart, if the wet bulb temperature is 70 degrees F and the relative humidity is 50%, what is the dry bulb temperature of the air?

To determine the dry bulb temperature from the wet bulb temperature and relative humidity using a psychrometric chart, we start with the known values: a wet bulb temperature of 70 degrees F and a relative humidity of 50%.

On a psychrometric chart, the wet bulb temperature is represented by a line that curves through the graph, and the relative humidity is depicted as curved lines that run perpendicular to the wet bulb lines. When these two values are plotted together on the chart, they will intersect at a specific point that corresponds to the condition of the air.

Following the intersection of the 70 degrees F wet bulb line and the 50% relative humidity line on the psychrometric chart, we can trace horizontally to find the dry bulb temperature, which is typically represented by the vertical lines on the chart. In this particular case, tracing from the wet bulb and relative humidity gives a dry bulb temperature of 84 degrees F.

This method ensures you are accurately interpreting the relationships between temperature, humidity, and their effects on the air properties as represented in the psychrometric chart. Understanding these relationships is key in HVAC for determining comfort levels and efficiency in air conditioning and heating systems.