A local weather station reports the barometric pressure as 29.5 inHg (inches of Hg). Convert this pressure to torr and to atm.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the units involved: 1 inHg (inch of mercury) is a unit of pressure, and we need to convert it to torr and atm (atmospheres).
2. Recall the conversion factors: 1 inHg is equivalent to 25.4 torr, and 1 atm is equivalent to 760 torr.
3. Convert the given pressure from inHg to torr: Multiply the pressure in inHg by the conversion factor (25.4 torr/inHg).
4. Convert the pressure from torr to atm: Divide the pressure in torr by the conversion factor (760 torr/atm).
5. Ensure the units are consistent and check the calculations to verify the conversions are correct.

Key Concepts

Barometric Pressure

Barometric pressure is the pressure exerted by the weight of the atmosphere at a given point. It is commonly measured in units such as inches of mercury (inHg), torr, and atmospheres (atm). Understanding barometric pressure is essential for weather forecasting and various scientific applications, as it influences weather patterns and altitude measurements.

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion is the process of converting a quantity expressed in one unit to another unit. In this context, converting barometric pressure from inches of mercury to torr and atmospheres requires knowledge of the relationships between these units. For example, 1 inHg is equivalent to 25.4 torr and approximately 0.968 atm, which are crucial for accurate pressure measurements.

Torr and Atmosphere

Torr and atmosphere (atm) are both units of pressure. The torr is defined as 1/760 of an atmosphere, which is based on the standard atmospheric pressure at sea level. Understanding these units is important for interpreting pressure readings in various scientific fields, including meteorology and chemistry, as they provide a standardized way to express and compare pressure values.