Final answer:
To convert a pressure reading of 731 mm Hg to atmospheres, divide by the conversion factor of 760 mm Hg per 1 atm, resulting in approximately 0.962 atm.
Step-by-step explanation:
To express the pressure of a compressed gas cylinder reading 731 mm Hg in atmospheres (atm), we use the known conversion factor that equates 1 atm to 760 mm Hg. Therefore, the calculation to convert mm Hg to atm is done by dividing the pressure in mm Hg by the conversion factor:
Pressure in atm =
Pressure in mm Hg / Conversion factor
Pressure in atm = 731 mm Hg / 760 mm Hg
Using a calculator, this gives us:
Pressure in atm = 0.962 atm (rounded to three decimal places)
Thus, 731 mm Hg is equivalent to approximately 0.962 atmospheres.