Final answer:
One atmosphere of pressure (1 atm) is defined as 760 mm Hg, which is also equivalent to 760 torr. In the options provided, b. 760 mm Hg is the correct measure for 1 atm.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Atmospheric Pressure
One atmosphere of pressure, commonly referred to as 1 atm, is a measure of the Earth's atmospheric pressure at sea level. This value is important when working with gases and pressure systems in various scientific calculations. The unit of measurement for this pressure is typically in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), and 1 atm is defined as exactly 760 mm Hg. An equivalent unit is the torr, which is numerically equal to mm Hg and named after the inventor of the mercury barometer, Evangelista Torricelli.
To answer the student's question about what one atmosphere of pressure is in mm Hg, we refer to the established equivalency:
1 atm = 760 mm Hg = 760 torr
Therefore, when comparing the options provided by the student:
105 mm Hg
760 mm Hg
650 mm Hg
1000 mm Hg
45 mm Hg
It is clear that 760 mm Hg is the correct measurement for 1 atm of pressure. Thus, the correct option is b. 760 mm Hg.
This value can also be used to convert atmospheric pressure to other units, such as pascals (Pa). Specifically, 1 atm equals 101,325 Pa, which is the formal SI unit of pressure.