Answer to Question #132089 in Physical Chemistry for ajay

Question

Show that 1 atm of pressure is equivalent to that exerted by a 760 mm column of mercury at 0 degree C (density is 13.5951 g cm-3) and standard gravity g =9.8 ms-2.

Answer 1

It is measured by using barometer.

In 1meter long glass test tube mercury is filled completely and holding mouth of the test tube closed, the test tube inverted and placed in a vessel containg mercury. This is called barometer.

After placing the tube in mercury vessel hand is removed. Now some amount of mercury will flow from the tube to the vessel.

Measure the height of liquid level.

This will be 760mm.

Pressure is calculated using formula

P=hdg=0.76x13600x9.8=101292pascal=1atm