Chapter 10, Problem 10.34SP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The number of pounds per square inch contained in $1\text{ atm}$ and $1\text{ mm Hg}$ is to be determined.

Concept introduction:

Units employed to express pressure include Pascal abbreviated as $\text{Pa}$, atmospheric pressure abbreviated as $\text{atm}$, and $\text{torr}$, bar, $\text{mm Hg}$ and $\text{psi}$.

SI unit of pressure is the Pascal, after the French scientist Blaise Pascal. It refers to the pressure that results when $1\text{ N}$ force acts on ${\text{1 m}}^2$. The unit more handy for chemists is the bar.

The relation between $\text{Pa}$ and ${\text{N/m}}^2$ is as follows:

$\text{1 Pa}=1{\text{ N/1m}}^2$

The relation between $\text{bar}$ and $\text{Pa}$ is as follows:

$\text{1 bar}={10}^5\text{ Pa}$

Conversion factor to convert $\text{atm}$ to $\text{mm Hg}$ is as follows:

$1\text{ atm}=\text{760 mm Hg}$

Conversion factor to convert $\text{mm Hg}$ to $\text{Pa}$ is as follows:

$\text{760 mm Hg}=101,325\text{ Pa}$

Conversion factor to convert $\text{psi}$ to $\text{atm}$ is as follows:

$\text{1 atm}=\text{ 14}\text{.7 psi}$