Under what condition is sweating most effective in cooling the body?

Sweating is most effective in cooling the body when humidity is low. This is because low humidity allows sweat to evaporate more readily from the skin's surface. Evaporation is the key process that provides cooling; as sweat evaporates, it absorbs heat from the body, which helps to regulate body temperature.

In high humidity conditions, the air is saturated with moisture, making it difficult for sweat to evaporate. This reduces the cooling effect of sweating, leading to potential overheating. While sweating during exercise does increase body temperature and the amount of sweat produced, the effectiveness of cooling through sweat relies heavily on the ambient humidity levels. Therefore, for optimal cooling through sweating, a low humidity environment is ideal. Cooler temperatures may also assist with overall comfort but do not enhance the evaporation process as significantly as low humidity does.