Calculating Altitude Using Barometer and Thermometer Readings

[tweety1234]

Homework Statement

a)
A scientist carries a thermometer, barometer, pan and gas camping stove up a mountain. At a certain point he collects water from a stream, boils it and measures the temperature of the steam condensing on the thermometer to be 98°C. What is the height of the column of mercury (density = 13560 kg m^{-3} ) in the barometer?

b) Estimate the altitude of the scientist relative to sea level, assuming the density of air to be 1.186 kg m^{-3} .

I am no sure how to do this question? Do I have to use steam tables?

 

[Borek]

That's one of the ways of dealing with the problem.

 

[tweety1234]

That's one of the ways of dealing with the problem.

okay, how would I go about finding the height of the barometer? do I use this equation \bigtriangleup p = \rho g \bigtriangleup h ?

 

[Borek]

No need for deltas, p=dgh correctly describes pressure at the bottom of the column of a liquid.

 

[tweety1234]

No need for deltas, p=dgh correctly describes pressure at the bottom of the column of a liquid.

Okay thanks,

So do I just get the pressure of steam at that temperature 98C, and than rearrange the equation to find h ?

Is this the correct method to work out the height of the barometer?

 

[Borek]

Looks like.