What is the pressure (in atmospheres) of the gas inside the container connected to an open-end, mercury-filled manometer if the mercury level in the open arm is 0.10 atm higher than in the arm connected to the container? The atmospheric pressure is 0.95 atm.

• A. 0.85 atm
• B. 0.95 atm
• C. 1.15 atm
• D. 1.05 atm

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a manometer is used to measure the pressure of a gas in a container by comparing it to atmospheric pressure. In this problem, the manometer is open-ended, meaning one side is open to the atmosphere.
2. Identify that the mercury level in the open arm is 0.10 atm higher than in the arm connected to the container. This indicates that the pressure of the gas in the container is less than the atmospheric pressure by 0.10 atm.
3. Note that the atmospheric pressure is given as 0.95 atm. Since the mercury level in the open arm is higher, the pressure of the gas in the container is the atmospheric pressure minus the difference in mercury levels.
4. Set up the equation to find the pressure of the gas in the container: \( P_{gas} = P_{atm} - \Delta P \), where \( P_{atm} \) is the atmospheric pressure (0.95 atm) and \( \Delta P \) is the difference in mercury levels (0.10 atm).
5. Substitute the known values into the equation: \( P_{gas} = 0.95 \text{ atm} - 0.10 \text{ atm} \). Calculate to find the pressure of the gas in the container.