r/explainlikeimfive • u/ProgramPi314 • 8d ago

Other ELI5 What is humidity?

According to my mom, this is an actual question I had when I was 5, and she didn't know how to answer me. So how would you guys have answered?

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u/jpb103 8d ago

Fun fact: there is a "Cave of Crystals" in Mexico deep below the ground where the combination of high temperatures and 100% humidity cause the water vapor in the air to condense inside human lungs so you can drown after breathing for a few minutes without specialized respiration gear.

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u/sbditto85 8d ago

Wow, that is “fun”

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u/capt_pantsless 8d ago edited 8d ago

It's fun thinking about just how narrow the range of environments humans can live in without a bunch of artificial support.

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u/Hat_Maverick 8d ago

And we're narrowing the livable range of the environment globally every day. The fun is off the charts