Hydrostatics, Length of a mercury column

In summary, hydrostatics is the study of fluids at rest and the forces acting on them. In this field, the height of a fluid column is directly proportional to the pressure exerted by the fluid, known as Pascal's law. The length of a mercury column in a barometer is used to measure atmospheric pressure, which is standardized to represent a unit of pressure called the atmosphere (atm). As the length of the mercury column increases, atmospheric pressure decreases due to the weight of the column creating a vacuum. Mercury is commonly used in barometers because it is a dense liquid that produces a larger change in height for a given change in pressure, making it a more sensitive and accurate choice for measuring atmospheric pressure.
  • #1
Ishraq Begum
13
3

Homework Statement


What will be the length of mercury column in a barometer tube, when the atmospheric pressure is 75 cm of mercury and the tube is inclined at an angle of 60° with the horizontal direction?

Homework Equations


Pascal's Law

The Attempt at a Solution


l ⋅ sinϑ = h
l = h / sinϑ
l = h / sin 60
l = 75 / 0.86
l = 87.2
but the correct answer given in the textbook is 86.6
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Use more significant figures for intermediate calculations. Only round results at the end.
 
  • Like
Likes Ishraq Begum

FAQ: Hydrostatics, Length of a mercury column

What is hydrostatics?

Hydrostatics is the study of the behavior of fluids at rest and the forces acting on them.

How is the length of a mercury column related to hydrostatics?

In hydrostatics, the height of a fluid column is directly proportional to the pressure exerted by that fluid. This relationship is known as Pascal's law and can be observed in the length of a mercury column in a barometer.

What is the significance of the length of a mercury column?

The length of a mercury column in a barometer is used to measure atmospheric pressure. It has been standardized to represent a unit of pressure known as the atmosphere (atm).

How is atmospheric pressure affected by the length of a mercury column?

As the length of the mercury column increases, the atmospheric pressure decreases. This is because the weight of the mercury column exerts a downward force on the surface of the mercury in the barometer, creating a vacuum above it.

Why is mercury commonly used in barometers?

Mercury is a dense liquid and produces a larger change in height for a given change in pressure compared to other liquids. This makes it a more sensitive and accurate choice for measuring atmospheric pressure.

Similar threads

Satellite and length of liquid column in a barometer
Replies
1
Views
2K
Mercury Barometer Experiment: Atmospheric Pressure
Replies
1
Views
2K
Hydrostatics, find length of kerosene column in U tube
Replies
4
Views
2K
What is the Solution to the Mercury Barometer Problem?
Replies
10
Views
6K
What is the solution to the straw paradox?
Replies
9
Views
3K
Calculating Work Done by Gas in a Mercury-Filled U-Tube with Right Angle Bends"
Replies
10
Views
2K
Hydrostatic pressure in a tilted tube
Replies
6
Views
2K
Problem involving gas laws and hydrostatics
Replies
6
Views
1K
How Much Air Is Needed to Lower Mercury in a Barometer from 75cm to 59cm?
Replies
4
Views
3K
Conceptual question, fluid pressure in a barometer
Replies
2
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top