Question

The world record for lowest pressure (at sea level) was \(652.5 \mathrm{mmHg}\) recorded inside Typhoon Tip on October \(12,1979,\) in the western Pacific Ocean. Convert this pressure to each indicated unit. a. torr b. atm c. in Hg d. psi

Short answer

a. 652.5 torr b. 0.8585 atm c. 25.689 inHg d. 12.608 psi

Step-by-step solution

Convert mmHg to torr

1 mmHg is exactly equal to 1 torr by definition. Therefore, to convert pressure in mmHg to torr, we can use the direct conversion: Pressure (in torr) = Pressure (in mmHg).

Convert mmHg to atmospheres (atm)

To convert mmHg to atm, we can use the conversion factor 1 atm = 760 mmHg. Therefore, the pressure in atmospheres can be found as follows: Pressure (in atm) = Pressure (in mmHg) / Conversion factor.Here, we divide the given pressure by 760 to get the result in atm.

Convert mmHg to inches of mercury (inHg)

To convert the pressure from mmHg to inHg, we need to know that 1 inch of mercury is approximately equal to 25.4 mmHg. Therefore, we can convert the pressure using the following formula: Pressure (in inHg) = Pressure (in mmHg) / 25.4.

Convert mmHg to pounds per square inch (psi)

To convert mmHg to psi, use the conversion factor 1 psi = 51.715 mmHg. Accordingly, we'll calculate the pressure in psi by dividing the given pressure in mmHg by this conversion factor: Pressure (in psi) = Pressure (in mmHg) / 51.715.

Key concepts

Understanding mmHg and torr

Millimeters of Mercury (mmHg) and torr are both units of pressure that are often used in the field of science, particularly in medicine and meteorology. The term 'mmHg' refers to the pressure exerted at the base of a column of mercury one millimeter high. 'Torr', on the other hand, is named after the Italian physicist Evangelista Torricelli, who invented the mercury barometer.

One of the key pieces of information that simplifies conversion between mmHg and torr is that these two units are actually defined to be exactly equal. This means that when you see a pressure measurement in mmHg, it's the same value in torr. For example, the record low sea-level pressure of Typhoon Tip at 652.5 mmHg can simply be stated as 652.5 torr without any conversion necessary.

mmHg to Atmospheres (atm)

An atmosphere (atm) is a unit of pressure that is based on the average air pressure at sea level at the Earth's surface. This unit reflects how much force the air is exerting on a given area.

To convert between mmHg and atm, it is essential to use the conversion factor that 1 atm is equivalent to 760 mmHg. When performing this conversion, we divide the pressure value in mmHg by 760. Therefore, to convert the 652.5 mmHg pressure from Typhoon Tip into atmospheres, we calculate: \(\text{Pressure in atm} = \frac{652.5}{760}\), which will give the pressure in atm units. Understanding how this conversion is derived helps to grasp the relationship between localized pressure readings and a standardized atmospheric reference.

From mmHg to Inches of Mercury (inHg)

The conversion between mmHg and inches of mercury (inHg) is essential for different scientific and engineering fields, including aviation, where pressure altimeters are commonly calibrated in inches of mercury. To convert mmHg to inHg, it is important to know the relationship between these two units. Since 1 inch equals 25.4 millimeters, this ratio can be used as the conversion factor.

To convert from mmHg to inHg, you divide the mmHg value by 25.4. For the low pressure recorded during Typhoon Tip, the conversion would be \(\text{Pressure in inHg} = \frac{652.5}{25.4}\). This simple conversion helps relate measurements taken with different instruments or reported in different units.

Converting mmHg to Pounds per Square Inch (psi)

Pounds per square inch (psi) is a widely used unit of pressure in many industrial applications and in everyday life when measuring tire pressure, for example. Converting mmHg to psi involves a specific conversion factor where 1 psi is equal to 51.715 mmHg.

To find the psi value from a mmHg measurement, divide the pressure in mmHg by 51.715. Using Typhoon Tip's records as an example, the calculation is as follows: \(\text{Pressure in psi} = \frac{652.5}{51.715}\). This psi value indicates the air pressure in terms that are often more familiar to people in the United States, for instance, and provides an insight into the intensity of pressure exerted by the typhoon.