Question

Convert pressure measurements from one system of units to another in the following problems.

1 atmosphere = 760 mmHg = 14.7 psi (pounds per square inch)
A) 320 mmHg/760 mmHg x 1 atm = 0.4211 atm.
B) 30.0 psi/14.7 psi x 760 mmHg = 1550.34 mmHg.
C) The barometric pressure in Breckenridge, Colorado (elevation 9600 feet) is 580 mm Hg. How many atmospheres is this?

Option 1: 0.7632 atm.
Option 2: 0.2532 atm.
Option 3: 0.1234 atm.
Option 4: 1.4567 atm.

Answer 1

To convert 580 mm Hg to atmospheres, the calculation is 580 mmHg / 760 mmHg = 0.7632 atm, making Option 1 correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

To convert pressure measurements from millimeters of mercury (mmHg) to atmospheres (atm), we use the equivalency 1 atm = 760 mmHg. For instance, to convert 320 mmHg to atmospheres, the student correctly calculated 0.4211 atm by using the given ratio:

320 mmHg / 760 mmHg x 1 atm = 0.4211 atm.

Similarly, 30.0 psi can be converted to mmHg as follows:

30.0 psi / 14.7 psi x 760 mmHg = 1550.34 mmHg.

For the barometric pressure in Breckenridge, Colorado, given as 580 mm Hg, converting it into atmospheres would require the following calculation:

580 mmHg / 760 mmHg = 0.7632 atm.

Therefore, the correct option for the pressure in Breckenridge, Colorado, expressed in atmospheres is Option 1: 0.7632 atm.