The pressure on top of Mount Everest (29,029 ft) averages about 235 mmHg. Convert this pressure to each indicated unit. a. torr b. psi c. in Hg d. atm

Key Concepts

Pressure Units

Pressure is a measure of force applied per unit area and can be expressed in various units, including mmHg, torr, psi, inHg, and atm. Understanding the relationships between these units is essential for converting pressure values. For instance, 1 torr is equivalent to 1 mmHg, while 1 atm is defined as 760 mmHg.

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion involves changing a measurement from one unit to another while maintaining the same quantity. This process often requires conversion factors, which are ratios that express how many of one unit are equivalent to another. For example, to convert mmHg to atm, one would use the factor that 1 atm equals 760 mmHg.

Atmospheric Pressure

Atmospheric pressure is the pressure exerted by the weight of the atmosphere above a given point. At sea level, standard atmospheric pressure is defined as 1 atm, which is approximately 101.3 kPa or 760 mmHg. Understanding atmospheric pressure is crucial for interpreting pressure readings at different altitudes, such as on Mount Everest.