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What is the ratio of the amount of water in the air at a given temperature to the maximum amount it could hold at that temperature?

  1. Runoff

  2. Salinity

  3. Relative Humidity

  4. Rust

The correct answer is: Relative Humidity

The correct choice is relative humidity, as it is defined as the ratio of the current amount of water vapor in the air to the maximum amount of water vapor that the air can hold at a specific temperature. This measurement is typically expressed as a percentage, which directly indicates how saturated the air is with moisture. By understanding relative humidity, you can grasp concepts such as how it affects weather patterns, comfort levels, and the potential for precipitation. It's an essential factor in meteorology and atmospheric science, helping to explain various phenomena related to humidity and temperature. The other terms provided do not relate to this concept: runoff refers to the water that flows over land surfaces, salinity measures the concentration of salts in water, and rust is a chemical reaction involving iron oxidizing. None of these pertain to the measurement of moisture in the air.