Consider the following statements. The combination of high temperature...
Statement 1 is incorrect.
The combination of high temperature and high humidity, referred to as the wet bulb temperature, is what makes heatwaves deadly. High moisture content in the atmosphere makes it difficult for the sweat to evaporate and bodies to cool down, as a result of which the internal body temperature increases sharply, and is often fatal.
Access to drinking water or oral rehydration solutions (ORS). These can be lifesavers in such situations.
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Consider the following statements. The combination of high temperature...
Statement 1: The combination of high temperature and low humidity is referred to as the wet bulb temperature.
Explanation:
This statement is incorrect. The wet bulb temperature is not a combination of high temperature and low humidity. The wet bulb temperature is the lowest temperature that can be reached by evaporating water into the air at constant pressure. It is a measure of the cooling effect of evaporation and is influenced by both temperature and humidity. The wet bulb temperature is usually lower than the dry bulb temperature (the temperature measured with a regular thermometer) and can be used to estimate the level of heat stress in the environment.
Statement 2: High moisture content in the atmosphere makes it difficult for the sweat to evaporate and bodies to cool down.
Explanation:
This statement is correct. High moisture content in the atmosphere (high humidity) can make it difficult for sweat to evaporate from our bodies. Evaporation is a cooling process, and when sweat evaporates from our skin, it helps to dissipate heat and cool down our bodies. However, when the air is already saturated with moisture, sweat evaporates more slowly or may not evaporate at all, which makes it difficult for our bodies to cool down effectively. This can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
Statement 3: Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) can act as lifesavers during heatstroke.
Explanation:
This statement is also correct. Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) can be lifesavers during heatstroke. Heatstroke is a severe form of heat-related illness characterized by a body temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher, along with other symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, nausea, and rapid heartbeat. During heatstroke, the body loses a significant amount of water and electrolytes through excessive sweating. ORS contains a balanced amount of electrolytes and glucose, which can help rehydrate the body and restore the electrolyte balance. It is an effective way to replace the lost fluids and prevent or treat dehydration during heatstroke.
Therefore, out of the three given statements, only statement 2 and statement 3 are correct. The correct answer is option B, "Only two."