[Waffles7]

If water is the liquid in a barometer instead of mercury, you can change the height difference to an equivalent mercury expression by:

A) dividing by 13.6
B) Multiplying by 13.6
C) adding 13.6
D) subtracting 13.6


Thank you for answering. I haven't been here for a while.

[sjb]

If water is the liquid in a barometer instead of mercury, you can change the height difference to an equivalent mercury expression by:

A) dividing by 13.6
B) Multiplying by 13.6
C) adding 13.6
D) subtracting 13.6


Thank you for answering. I haven't been here for a while.

What are your thoughts? Any formulae you know?

[Arkcon]

If there's no formula you have that you can use, can your try to pick the question apart logically?  WHat is the difference stated in the question.  Which of the answers matches this difference?  How does the barometer work?  What property of mercury or water does it use?

[Vidya]

If water is the liquid in a barometer instead of mercury, you can change the height difference to an equivalent mercury expression by:

A) dividing by 13.6
B) Multiplying by 13.6
C) adding 13.6
D) subtracting 13.6


Thank you for answering. I haven't been here for a while.

Do you know the difference in the density of Hg and water? Is this question has to do something with it ?

[Waffles7]

I found that you add 13.6 to the density of water to get the density of mercury, but I cannot seem to figure out what to do then. Would I use p=dgh?

[Vidya]

you are on the right equation.So density of mercury is  13.6 times more than that of water ...you are on right track ...now figure out the answer...

[Enthalpy]

Why do they use mercury? It's expensive, so does it bring advantages over cheap liquids like water?

[billnotgatez]

@Enthalpy
This is a class question just to get the person to think about mathematical relationships and develop logic thinking.
You can start a discussion thread elsewhere.
The question you pose is of interest -- but not for this students understanding of the original question.


@Enthalpy
I rethought your question and see it is trying to get the student to think about the differences in the 2 substances so as to formulate a possible reason for the answer.