Problem: Torricelli, who invented the barometer, used mercury in its construction because mercury has a very high density, which makes it possible to make a more compact barometer than one based on a less dense fluid.Calculate the density of mercury using the observation that the column of mercury is 760 mm high when the atmospheric pressure is 1.01 x 105 Pa. Assume the tube containing the mercury is a cylinder with a constant cross-sectional area.

FREE Expert Solution

$\overline{){\mathbf{P}}{\mathbf{=}}{\mathbf{hdg}}}$

where

P = pressure

h = height

d = density

h = height

Problem Details

Torricelli, who invented the barometer, used mercury in its construction because mercury has a very high density, which makes it possible to make a more compact barometer than one based on a less dense fluid.

Calculate the density of mercury using the observation that the column of mercury is 760 mm high when the atmospheric pressure is 1.01 x 105 Pa. Assume the tube containing the mercury is a cylinder with a constant cross-sectional area.