Question

Describe a simple mercury barometer. How is such a barometer used to measure the pressure of the atmosphere?

Short answer

A simple mercury barometer consists of a long glass tube, closed at one end, a reservoir of mercury, and a millimeter scale. To measure atmospheric pressure, observe the barometric height (the height of the mercury column) and convert this height to pressure using the formula \(P = h * ρ * g\), where P is pressure, h is the barometric height in meters, ρ is the density of mercury (\(13,600 kg/m^3\)), and g is the acceleration due to gravity (\(9.81 m/s^2\)). Take temperature and altitude variations into account for accurate readings.

Step-by-step solution

Part 1: Description of a Mercury Barometer

A mercury barometer is a device used to measure atmospheric pressure, which is the force exerted by the weight of the air above it. The main components of a simple mercury barometer are: 1. A long glass tube, closed at one end. 2. A reservoir of mercury, which is an open container at the base of the tube. 3. A scale, usually in millimeters, to measure the height of the mercury column. To construct a mercury barometer, you need to fill the glass tube with mercury and invert it into the mercury reservoir. The closed end of the tube faces upwards, while the open end is immersed in the mercury reservoir. The glass tube is also mounted on a calibrated scale to enable easy reading of the height of the mercury column.

Part 2: Measuring Atmospheric Pressure with a Mercury Barometer

To measure atmospheric pressure using a mercury barometer, follow these steps: Step 1: Observe the height of mercury: Observe the level of mercury in the tube and read the height of the mercury column (in millimeters) above the mercury level in the reservoir. This height is referred to as the "barometric height." Step 2: Convert the barometric height to pressure: The height of the mercury column is proportional to the atmospheric pressure exerted on the mercury reservoir. You can convert the barometric height to pressure using the following formula: \(P = h * ρ * g\) Where: - P is the pressure (measured in pascals) - h is the barometric height (measured in meters, convert millimeters to meters by dividing by 1000) - ρ is the density of mercury (approximately \(13,600 kg/m^3\)) - g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately \(9.81 m/s^2\)) By following these steps, you can use a simple mercury barometer to measure the atmospheric pressure. Keep in mind that changes in pressure might also be affected by variations in temperature and altitude, and should be taken into account for accurate readings.