The typical atmospheric pressure on top of Mount Everest (29,032 ft) is about 265 torr. Convert this pressure to e. psi.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the conversion factors needed: 1 atm = 760 torr and 1 atm = 14.696 psi.
2. Convert the pressure from torr to atm using the conversion factor: \( \text{Pressure in atm} = \frac{265 \text{ torr}}{760 \text{ torr/atm}} \).
3. Use the pressure in atm to convert to psi using the conversion factor: \( \text{Pressure in psi} = \text{Pressure in atm} \times 14.696 \text{ psi/atm} \).
4. Ensure all units cancel appropriately, leaving the final pressure in psi.
5. Verify the calculation by checking that the conversion factors are applied correctly and the units are consistent.

Key Concepts

Pressure Units

Pressure is a measure of force applied per unit area and can be expressed in various units, including torr, psi (pounds per square inch), and atmospheres. Understanding how to convert between these units is essential for solving problems related to pressure in different contexts, such as atmospheric pressure at high altitudes.

Conversion Factors

Conversion factors are numerical values used to convert a quantity from one unit to another. For pressure, knowing the relationship between torr and psi is crucial; specifically, 1 torr is approximately equal to 0.0193368 psi. Using this conversion factor allows for accurate calculations when changing pressure units.

Atmospheric Pressure

Atmospheric pressure is the pressure exerted by the weight of the atmosphere above a given point. It decreases with altitude, which is why the pressure on Mount Everest is significantly lower than at sea level. Understanding how atmospheric pressure varies with elevation helps contextualize the importance of pressure measurements in different environments.