Chapter 6: Problem 8
On a climb up Mt. Whitney, the atmospheric pressure drops to \(467 \mathrm{mmHg}\). What is the pressure in terms of the following units? a. atm b. torr
Short Answer
Expert verified
a. 0.614 atm, b. 467 torr
Step by step solution
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Atmospheric Pressure
Atmospheric pressure is the force exerted onto a surface by the weight of the air above that surface in the atmosphere. It is a crucial concept in understanding weather patterns and altitude effects.
As you climb higher, like when hiking up a mountain, the atmospheric pressure decreases. This happens because there is less air above you exerting force.
The standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is defined as 1 atmosphere (atm). This is equivalent to 101,325 Pascals (Pa) in SI units. For easier measurements in everyday scenarios, it is often also represented as 760 millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
As you climb higher, like when hiking up a mountain, the atmospheric pressure decreases. This happens because there is less air above you exerting force.
The standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is defined as 1 atmosphere (atm). This is equivalent to 101,325 Pascals (Pa) in SI units. For easier measurements in everyday scenarios, it is often also represented as 760 millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Millimeters of Mercury
Millimeters of mercury (mmHg) is a unit of pressure that originated from the way mercury was used in barometers to measure atmospheric pressure.
One mmHg is the pressure exerted by a 1 millimeter high column of mercury at 0°C at the standard acceleration of gravity.
This unit is still widely used in various fields, particularly in medicine. For example, blood pressure readings are often given in mmHg.
One mmHg is the pressure exerted by a 1 millimeter high column of mercury at 0°C at the standard acceleration of gravity.
This unit is still widely used in various fields, particularly in medicine. For example, blood pressure readings are often given in mmHg.
Conversion Factors
Conversion factors are used to change one set of units to another, making the comparison or conversion possible and accurate. It's essential to know the correct conversion factors:
- 1 atmosphere (atm) = 760 mmHg
- 1 mmHg = 1 torr.
These factors are used in equations to seamlessly switch between units without changing the resulting measurement's meaning.
- 1 atmosphere (atm) = 760 mmHg
- 1 mmHg = 1 torr.
These factors are used in equations to seamlessly switch between units without changing the resulting measurement's meaning.
ATM
Atmospheres (atm) is a unit of pressure defined by being equal to standard atmospheric pressure at sea level.
This unit is widely used in physical sciences and engineering when discussing pressures relative to atmospheric pressure. For example, scuba divers measure water pressure relative to the surface atmospheric pressure using atm.
This unit is widely used in physical sciences and engineering when discussing pressures relative to atmospheric pressure. For example, scuba divers measure water pressure relative to the surface atmospheric pressure using atm.
Torr
The torr is a unit of pressure that is nearly equal to the mmHg. In fact, 1 torr = 1 mmHg.
It is named after Evangelista Torricelli, who invented the barometer in 1644.
This unit is often used in high-vacuum physics and engineering fields, making it extremely useful for experiments and applications that require precision in low-pressure measurements.
It is named after Evangelista Torricelli, who invented the barometer in 1644.
This unit is often used in high-vacuum physics and engineering fields, making it extremely useful for experiments and applications that require precision in low-pressure measurements.
