Question

In a barometer, the height of the liquid column should not be unreasonably high or low. Let us compare the heights of columns containing Hg or water at sea level to account for Hg as the liquid of choice. The equation P = hdg becomes h1d1 = h2d2, when comparing the heights of 2 different liquid columns under identical conditions. If the height of a Hg (density = 13.6 g/cm3) column is 76.0 cm at sea level, what is the height of a water column at sea level?

a) 13.6 cm
b) 104.4 cm
c) 0.56 cm
d) 5.56 cm

Answer 1

The height of the water column in a barometer at sea level can be found using the equation h1d1 = h2d2, where h1 and h2 are the heights of the liquid columns and d1 and d2 are the densities of the liquids.

Step-by-step explanation:

To compare the heights of two different liquid columns under identical conditions, we use the equation h1d1 = h2d2, where h1 and h2 are the heights of the liquid columns and d1 and d2 are the densities of the liquids. In this case, the height of the mercury (density = 13.6 g/cm3) column is given as 76.0 cm at sea level. To find the height of a water column at sea level, we can substitute the values into the equation:

h1d1 = h2d2

76.0 cm x 13.6 g/cm3 = h2 x density of water

h2 = 13.6 cm

Therefore, the height of the water column at sea level is 13.6 cm.