Mercury Displacement in a Sealed Tube: Isothermal vs. Adiabatic Processes

  • Thread starter Thread starter zygisyyy
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Mercury Tube
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the displacement of mercury in a sealed tube when positioned vertically, considering both isothermal and adiabatic processes. The participant calculated a displacement of 0.072 meters for the isothermal case using the formula F=p*A, where F is force, p is pressure, and A is area. The participant seeks confirmation of their approach and whether a simpler method exists. The isothermal assumption is deemed more reasonable due to the nature of the process involved.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fluid mechanics principles
  • Familiarity with the ideal gas law
  • Knowledge of isothermal and adiabatic processes
  • Proficiency in applying pressure-area relationships in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the ideal gas law and its applications in closed systems
  • Explore the differences between isothermal and adiabatic processes in detail
  • Learn about hydrostatic pressure calculations in fluids
  • Investigate alternative methods for calculating fluid displacement in sealed tubes
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, particularly those studying thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, as well as educators looking for practical examples of pressure and displacement in sealed systems.

zygisyyy
Messages
6
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A thin tube, sealed at both ends, is 1 m long. It lies horizontally, the middle 10 cm containing mercury at the two equal ends containing air at standard atmospheric pressure. If the tube is now turned to a vertical position, by what amount will the mercury be displaced? Assume that the process is (a) isothermal and (b) adiabatic. Which assumption is more reasonable?

Homework Equations



F=p*A

The Attempt at a Solution



I figured maybe I could calculate the displacement by finding the difference between the two pressures ( or vector sum ) and by using F=p*A and other intermediate equations like that of volume find the displacement.
I got 0.072m of displacement in isothermal case. I think the answer can actually be near the logical one, but i still want to make sure whether I'm using the correct approach.
and maybe there is simpler way to do this?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
zygisyyy said:
It lies horizontally, the middle 10 cm containing mercury at the two equal ends containing air at standard atmospheric pressure.


Can you clarify this please?
 
Tube is thin enough so that mercury closes it, separating air on both sides.
 

Similar threads

Gas in mercury manometer, finding its normal volume
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Is the rise in mercury level due to a change in pressure or temperature?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Calculating Work Done by Gas in a Mercury-Filled U-Tube with Right Angle Bends"
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
A glass tube filled with mercury
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Work done in adiabatic process vs work done in isothermal
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Understanding Pressure and Volume in a U-shaped Tube
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Pressure-related problem with Mercury and Water in a U-tube
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
7K
What is the Height of Mercury in an Inclined Torricellian Tube?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Isothermal, isobaric and adiabatic
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Oxygen and mercury in a tube problem
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K