Final answer:
The pressure of the enclosed gas is found by adding the atmospheric pressure (755 mm Hg) to the pressure due to the mercury column (434 mm Hg), and converting the sum (1189 mm Hg) to atmospheres, which gives approximately 1.565 atm.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the pressure of the enclosed gas using a manometer, we need to consider the atmospheric pressure and the difference in mercury levels in the manometer.
The atmospheric pressure is given as 755 mm Hg, but standard atmospheric pressure is 760 mm Hg, which is equivalent to 1 atmosphere (atm). The hydrostatic pressure due to the 43.4 cm (434 mm) of mercury column in the manometer also needs to be taken into account.
The calculation involves adjusting the atmospheric pressure by the difference in the mercury levels. Given that 1 mm Hg is approximately equal to 1 torr, and 760 mm Hg is equivalent to 1 atm, the pressure exerted by the mercury column is 434 mm Hg or 0.5711 atm (from 434 mm Hg / 760 mm Hg).
If the level is higher on the side open to the atmosphere, the gas pressure will be less than atmospheric pressure by this amount, but if it is higher on the gas side, it will be greater. Assuming the level is higher on the gas side, the enclosed gas pressure is: Pressure of enclosed gas = atmospheric pressure + pressure of mercury column
= 755 mm Hg + 434 mm Hg
= 1189 mm Hg which can be converted to atm by dividing by the conversion factor.
1189 mm Hg / 760 mm Hg per atm ≈ 1.565 atm
Therefore, the pressure of the enclosed gas is approximately 1.565 atm.