The minimum temperature to which the water can be cooled in a cooling tower is the __________ temperature of air.

ANS:C - dew point

The dew point is the temperature at which air becomes saturated with water vapor, leading to the condensation of water vapor into liquid water, such as dew or fog. It is a measure of the absolute humidity of the air, indicating how much moisture the air contains. When air cools down, it loses its ability to hold moisture. As the temperature decreases, the air reaches a point where it becomes saturated with water vapor, meaning that the air cannot hold any more moisture at that temperature. This temperature at which saturation occurs is called the dew point. When the air temperature drops below the dew point, water vapor in the air begins to condense into liquid water droplets. These droplets may form dew on surfaces like grass or cars, or they may lead to the formation of fog or clouds in the atmosphere. The dew point is influenced by factors such as air temperature and relative humidity. Higher temperatures allow the air to hold more moisture, while higher humidity levels increase the likelihood of saturation occurring at a given temperature. The dew point is an important parameter in weather forecasting and comfort analysis. It affects human comfort levels, as high dew points can make the air feel more humid and uncomfortable, while low dew points can make the air feel drier and more comfortable. Dew point measurements are also used in various industries, such as agriculture, aviation, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), to assess moisture levels in the air and determine appropriate responses or adjustments.