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How does mercury measure air pressure?

How does mercury measure air pressure?

The mercury sits in a circular, shallow dish surrounding the tube. The mercury in the tube will adjust itself to match the atmospheric pressure above the dish. As the pressure increases, it forces the mercury up the tube. The tube is marked with a series of measurements that track the number of atmospheres or bars.

What can be used to measure air pressure?

barometer, device used to measure atmospheric pressure. Because atmospheric pressure changes with distance above or below sea level, a barometer can also be used to measure altitude. There are two main types of barometers: mercury and aneroid.

What does a mercury barometer look like?

A mercury barometer is a device that is used to measure the atmospheric pressure at a given location. The barometer consists of a vertical glass tube that is closed at one end. The closed-end is at the top and it sits in the mercury-filled basin placed at the bottom. It is an absolute pressure gauge.

Why is mercury barometer important?

Mercury is commonly used in barometers because its high density means the height of the column can be a reasonable size to measure atmospheric pressure. This is because mercury is 13.6 times more dense than water.

Where is mercury barometer located?

The barometer consists of a vertical glass tube that is closed at one end. The closed-end is at the top and it sits in the mercury-filled basin placed at the bottom. It is an absolute pressure gauge.

What is mercury pressure?

3.38639 kPa. Inch of mercury (inHg and ″Hg) is a unit of measurement for pressure. It is used for barometric pressure in weather reports, refrigeration and aviation in the United States. It is the pressure exerted by a column of mercury 1 inch (25.4 mm) in height at the standard acceleration of gravity.

How is mercury used to measure gas pressure?

Manometers measure the difference in gas pressure. Mercury manometers are generally U-shaped glass or plastic tubes containing elemental mercury with one end of the tube closed and the other open to the atmosphere. The difference in the levels of mercury in each side of the tube indicates the pressure of the gas being measured.

What kind of instrument is used to measure air pressure?

An instrument that is used to measure air pressure. mercury barometer A barometer that consists of a glass tube open at the bottom end and partially filled with mercury. The space in the tube above the mercury is almost a vacuum, and it contains very little air.

Is the mercury barometer filled with air or water?

The mercury barometer consists of a glass tube open at the bottom end and is partially filled with mercury. The space in the tube above the mercury is almost a vacuum – it contains no air. The open end of the tube rests in a dish of mercury.

What kind of manometer is filled with Mercury?

A mercury manometer is a vertical glass or plastic tube filled with liquid mercury that is used to measure the pressure of gases. There are open and closed versions, with the difference being that a closed-tube manometer has a vacuum above the mercury in the closed end, while the open-tube is open to the air.