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Ch.10 - Gases: Their Properties & Behavior
Chapter 10, Problem 1

The recommended pressure for inflation of an automobile tire is 35 psi. What is the pressure in units of mm Hg? 11 atm = 14.7 psi; 1 atm = 760 mm Hg2 (LO 10.1) (a) 3.9 * 105 mm Hg (b) 0.68 mm Hg (c) 3.2 * 102 mm Hg (d) 1.8 * 103 mm Hg

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1
First, convert the given pressure from psi to atm using the conversion factor provided: 1 atm = 14.7 psi. Use the formula: Pressure (atm) = Pressure (psi) / 14.7 psi.
Next, convert the pressure from atm to mm Hg using the conversion factor: 1 atm = 760 mm Hg. Use the formula: Pressure (mm Hg) = Pressure (atm) * 760 mm Hg.
Combine the two conversion steps into one formula to directly convert from psi to mm Hg: Pressure (mm Hg) = (Pressure (psi) / 14.7) * 760.
Plug in the given pressure of 35 psi into the combined conversion formula to calculate the pressure in mm Hg.
Compare the calculated value to the multiple-choice options provided to find the correct answer.

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Key Concepts

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

Pressure Units Conversion

Understanding how to convert between different units of pressure is essential. In this case, we need to convert psi (pounds per square inch) to mm Hg (millimeters of mercury). The relationships between these units are provided, specifically that 11 atm equals 14.7 psi and 1 atm equals 760 mm Hg, which allows for the necessary calculations.
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Atmospheric Pressure

Atmospheric pressure is the pressure exerted by the weight of the atmosphere above a given point. It is commonly measured in atmospheres (atm), psi, or mm Hg. Knowing that standard atmospheric pressure is approximately 1 atm = 760 mm Hg helps in understanding how to relate different pressure measurements and perform conversions accurately.
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Dimensional Analysis

Dimensional analysis is a mathematical technique used to convert one set of units to another. It involves multiplying by conversion factors that relate the units. In this problem, we will use dimensional analysis to systematically convert psi to mm Hg, ensuring that units cancel appropriately to yield the desired result.
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