How is dry bulb temperature defined?

The concept of dry bulb temperature is specifically defined as the temperature of air as measured by a thermometer that does not account for moisture in the air. This is accomplished using a dry sensing bulb, which gives a direct reading of the air's temperature without the influence of evaporative cooling or humidity.

This measurement is crucial in various fields, including HVAC and drying processes, because it provides a baseline temperature that helps in evaluating comfort levels and the efficiency of drying mechanisms. Understanding dry bulb temperature is essential, as it aids in the assessment of the air's ability to hold moisture and contributes to calculations related to relative humidity and dew point.

While the other options discuss aspects of temperature measurement, they either incorporate moisture's effect or do not define dry bulb temperature accurately. For instance, a wet bulb thermometer measures a combination of temperature and humidity, which is distinct from the dry bulb temperature measurement, while averaging temperature over time does not provide a specific temperature reading.