Understanding Pressure: One Atmosphere and Mercury Column Height Explained

  • Thread starter Thread starter JWHooper
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Homework Pressure
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of pressure, specifically the relationship between one atmosphere and the height of a mercury column measured in millimeters of mercury (mm-Hg). Participants are exploring the definition and implications of this measurement in the context of a homework question.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the meaning of "mm-Hg" and its relation to the height of a mercury column. There is an attempt to clarify the definition of this measurement and its implications for the homework question.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights into the meaning of mm-Hg and confirming the relationship between atmospheric pressure and mercury column height. Some guidance has been offered regarding the interpretation of the question, but no consensus has been reached on the final answer.

Contextual Notes

There is an indication that the original poster is seeking a quick answer while also expressing some confusion about the definition of height in this context. The discussion includes assumptions about the conditions under which the mercury column is measured.

JWHooper
I already know that one atmosphere equals to 760 mm-Hg. But, I don't get the following question:
Q. What is the height of a column of mercury supported by one atmosphere of pressure?
Although this is homework question, I want an quick answer, I already know that 1 atm = 760 mm-Hg, but what is "height of a column" definition?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What do you think "mm-Hg" means?
 
Doc Al said:
What do you think "mm-Hg" means?
I think it means millimeters per mercury. So, is the answer 760 mm-Hg correct?
 
JWHooper said:
I think it means millimeters per mercury.
It means millimeters of mercury.
So, is the answer 760 mm-Hg correct?
Assuming the top of the mercury column is closed (and empty), the answer would be 760 mm.
 
Oh okay. Thanks for the help!
 

Similar threads

Finding pressure P of air held in between two columns of Mercury
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Pressure in a gas container measured with a barometer and a U pipe
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Mercury barometer with a small amount of air
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Solving Fluid Statics Problem: Accounting for Atmospheric Pressure
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Pressure Required for Fireman to Send Water 12m High | Physics Problem
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Barometer of Mercury: Weight or Pressure?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Clarifying the Definition Total/Stagnation Pressure (p₀) in Bernoulli'
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Calculating Work Done by Gas in a Mercury-Filled U-Tube with Right Angle Bends"
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Mercury Barometer Experiment: Atmospheric Pressure
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Conceptual Issue Dealing With Atmospheric Pressure
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K