The dry-bulb temperature (DBT) is the
temperature of
air measured by a
thermometer freely exposed to the air, but shielded from
radiation
In physics, radiation is the emission or transmission of energy in the form of waves or particles through space or through a material medium. This includes:
* ''electromagnetic radiation'', such as radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visi ...
and
moisture. DBT is the temperature that is usually thought of as air temperature, and it is the true
thermodynamic temperature. It indicates the amount of heat in the air and is directly proportional to the mean
kinetic energy of the air molecules. Temperature is usually measured in degrees
Celsius
The degree Celsius is the unit of temperature on the Celsius scale (originally known as the centigrade scale outside Sweden), one of two temperature scales used in the International System of Units (SI), the other being the Kelvin scale. The ...
(°C),
kelvins (K), or degrees
Fahrenheit (°F).
Unlike
wet-bulb temperature
The wet-bulb temperature (WBT) is the temperature read by a thermometer covered in water-soaked (water at ambient temperature) cloth (a wet-bulb thermometer) over which air is passed. At 100% relative humidity, the wet-bulb temperature is equal ...
, dry bulb temperature does not indicate the amount of moisture in the air. In
construction, it is an important consideration when designing a
building for a certain
climate. Nall called it one of "the most important climate variables for human comfort and building
energy efficiency
Energy efficiency may refer to:
* Energy efficiency (physics), the ratio between the useful output and input of an energy conversion process
** Electrical efficiency, useful power output per electrical power consumed
** Mechanical efficiency, a ra ...
."
DBT is an important variable in
psychrometrics, being the horizontal axis of a
psychrometric chart
Psychrometrics (or psychrometry, ; also called hygrometry) is the field of engineering concerned with the physical and thermodynamic properties of gas-vapor mixtures.
Common applications
Although the principles of psychrometry apply to any p ...
.
See also
*
Psychrometric chart
Psychrometrics (or psychrometry, ; also called hygrometry) is the field of engineering concerned with the physical and thermodynamic properties of gas-vapor mixtures.
Common applications
Although the principles of psychrometry apply to any p ...
*
Hygrometer
*
Atmospheric thermodynamics
References
{{climate-stub
Atmospheric thermodynamics
es:Temperatura#Temperatura seca