Along the coast the air temperature rises during the day and the and the amount of moisture the air can hold goes up. The air temperature and the amount of moisture in the air reaches a maximum in the late afternoon. Then the air temperature drops and since the amount of moisture in the air remains, the relative humidity goes up. At some point the air becomes saturated (relative humidity =100%) and eventually dew forms. Sweat doesn't evaporate much during this process and is ineffective in cooling the body. So in the evening hours the air is still quite warm but very humid.In the early morning as the sun comes up the air temperature begins to rise but since it has lost moisture in the last evening the relative humidity is lower and sweat evaporates more quickly, cooling the body. So in the early morning the air is cooler than in the evening and as a bonus is drier. No one got to the main technical core of the solution but AHR Canuck came closest and is the winner.
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This summer’s heat wave has been a real bummer for construction workers. Particularly along the Gulf Coast where the high humidity adds to the misery. Frank and John, two construction supervisors, are having morning coffee and discussing ways to improve working conditions while constructing two substations several miles inland from the coast.
“I’m going to have my crews work primarily in the early evening, starting at sundown, when it’s a little cooler.” says Frank, “Also, we won’t have the sun blazing away. And if needed, I’ve got the budget to buy some industrial lighting. I’ve also got the OK from the union.”
“Huh!” responds John, “I’ve also been thinking about moving shift hours around. But I’m moving to early morning. The air’s cool and the sun’s low. Everybody knows that this is the best time to do hard work. Just look at all the early morning joggers!”
Henry Thud, the company cynic, has been listening from across the break room.
“Won’t make any difference,” says Henry, as he stretches, yawns and walks out into the new day. Frank and John just roll their eyes.
Who’s right? Frank, John or Henry Thud?
And explain why.
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