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Ch.5 - Gases
Chapter 5, Problem 28a,c

The world record for lowest pressure (at sea level) was 652.5 mmHg recorded inside Typhoon Tip on October 12, 1979, in the western Pacific Ocean. Convert this pressure to each indicated unit. a. torr c. in Hg

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insert step 1: Understand that 1 mmHg is equivalent to 1 torr, so the pressure in torr is the same as in mmHg.
insert step 2: For part c, recognize that 1 inch of mercury (in Hg) is equivalent to 25.4 mmHg.
insert step 3: To convert mmHg to in Hg, use the conversion factor: \( \text{in Hg} = \frac{\text{mmHg}}{25.4} \).
insert step 4: Substitute the given pressure in mmHg (652.5 mmHg) into the conversion formula to find the pressure in in Hg.
insert step 5: Perform the division to complete the conversion from mmHg to in Hg.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Pressure Units

Pressure is a measure of force applied per unit area and can be expressed in various units, including mmHg (millimeters of mercury), torr, and inches of mercury (inHg). These units are commonly used in meteorology and medicine to quantify atmospheric pressure. Understanding the relationships between these units is essential for converting pressure values accurately.
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Conversion Factors

To convert between different units of pressure, specific conversion factors are used. For instance, 1 mmHg is equivalent to 1 torr, and 1 inHg is approximately equal to 25.4 mmHg. Knowing these conversion factors allows for straightforward calculations when changing from one unit to another, which is crucial for solving problems involving pressure measurements.
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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 760 mmHg, 760 torr, or 29.92 inHg. Understanding this baseline is important for interpreting pressure readings and making conversions, as it provides context for the values being analyzed.
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