In terms of gases, which term describes the amount of water vapor present relative to its maximum possible amount?

Relative humidity is the term that describes the amount of water vapor present in the air compared to the maximum amount of water vapor that the air can hold at a given temperature. It is expressed as a percentage. For example, if the air contains half the amount of water vapor it can hold at a certain temperature, the relative humidity would be 50%.

Understanding relative humidity is essential in meteorology and aviation, as it influences weather patterns, aircraft performance, and passenger comfort. Unlike absolute humidity, which measures the total mass of water vapor in a specific volume of air, relative humidity provides a more practical understanding of the moisture content relative to capacity, which varies with temperature.