Mercury Barometer: Does Temperature Affect Height?

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Temperature does affect the height of the mercury column in a barometer due to thermal expansion and varying vapor pressure. As temperature increases, mercury expands, impacting the column height. The vapor pressure of mercury is less than 0.01 mm Hg below 320°C, making significant changes in height unmeasurable at lower temperatures. The thermal expansion coefficient of mercury is 0.0002 per degree, allowing for calculations of temperature changes that would result in a one mm Hg error. Understanding these factors is crucial for accurate barometric readings.
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Does the temperature of the mercury affects the height of the mercury column in a barometer?
 
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Yes, it does. Mercury is subject to thermal expansion and its vapor pressure varies with temperature.
 
touqra said:
Does the temperature of the mercury affects the height of the mercury column in a barometer?
The vapor pressure is less 0.01 mm Hg below 320 C; this would not be measurable.

The thermal expansion coefficient of mercury is 0.0002 per degree. You can calculate yourself the temperature change needed to get en error of one mm Hg.
 

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