Which Atmosphere Unit Should I Use for Lab Calculations: Technical or Standard?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the appropriate unit of atmosphere to use for laboratory calculations, specifically the distinction between technical and standard atmospheres when converting mm Hg to atmospheres.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the best atmosphere unit to use for lab calculations, mentioning confusion over the technical and standard atmospheres.
  • Another participant states they have not encountered the term "technical atmosphere" before and suggests that "atmospheres" typically refers to the standard unit, defined as 1 atm = 101325 Pa.
  • A different participant provides a definition of technical atmosphere, stating it is equivalent to 1 kg force over 1 square cm, and mentions its conversion to kPa.
  • One participant confirms that 760 mm Hg is equal to 1 atm, implying a preference for the standard atmosphere.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing familiarity with the term "technical atmosphere," leading to a lack of consensus on which unit is preferable for laboratory calculations.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved definitions and potential confusion regarding the use of technical versus standard atmospheres, as well as the implications of using different units in calculations.

ThomasMagnus
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Homework Statement



Hi. I am currently doing a lab where I need to convert mm Hg to atmospheres. When I try to use an online converter to do this, it gives two options for atmospheres, technical and standard. Which would be the best to use for a laboratory calculation?

http://www.onlineconversion.com/pressure.htm

Thanks!

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The Attempt at a Solution



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I've never come across the unit "technical atmosphere." So unless the adjective "technical" is there, always take "atmospheres" to be the standard kind, with the abbreviated symbol atm, and with 1 atm = 101325 Pa.
 
According to wikipedia technical atmosphere is exactly 1 kg force over 1 square cm.

1 at = 98.0665 kPa

Go for the one standard one.
 
760 mm Hg = 1 atm.

Chet
 

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