Question

What depth of mercury creates a pressure of 1.00 atm?

1. 760 mm
2. 10.3 m
3. 13.6 m
4. 76.0 m

Answer 1

The depth of mercury that corresponds to a pressure of 1.00 atm is 760 mm, as standard atmospheric pressure equates to a column of mercury this high.

Step-by-step explanation:

The depth of mercury that creates a pressure of 1.00 atm is 760 mm. This is because the standard atmospheric pressure at sea level (101,325 Pa) correlates with a mercury column of approximately 760 mm high. The density of mercury, which is significantly higher than that of water (13.6 times greater), allows for a more manageable barometric measurement.

The unit millimeters of mercury (mmHg) is commonly used to denote this pressure, with 1 atm being exactly defined as 760 mmHg or 760 torr, following the original methodology by Torricelli for measuring pressure using a mercury barometer.