Air that is 100% saturated with water is characterized as?

Air that is 100% saturated with water is characterized as less dense than dry air due to the physical properties of water vapor compared to the other components of air. When air is saturated, it means that it contains the maximum amount of water vapor that it can hold at a particular temperature and pressure.

Water vapor has a lower molecular weight (approximately 18 g/mol) compared to the average molecular weight of the dry air components, which is about 29 g/mol (primarily nitrogen and oxygen). As water vapor replaces some of the heavier gas molecules in dry air, the overall density of the air decreases.

Therefore, saturated air is indeed less dense than dry air. Understanding the relationship between moisture content and air density is crucial in meteorology and aviation, as it affects weather patterns, lift generation, and aircraft performance.