Kerry Burton
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- Orem, Utah
Just in case this topic hasn't been sufficiently beaten to death, here is a page which provides what I feel is the missing link in understanding what is meant by "inches of mercury". It goes along with what Carol said, but in a way that may help you to visualize it better.
I recommend reading the second entry first. Go to the first entry for more technical details.
PS - Can it be true? If you do the math to compare the maximum height of a column of mercury and a column of water that can be supported by atmospheric pressure at sea level, the ratio is ~13.7 to 1.
Yep ... mercury is nearly 14 times as dense as water. In fact, it's nearly twice as dense as steel! Just try to use melted steel in your barometer.
I recommend reading the second entry first. Go to the first entry for more technical details.
PS - Can it be true? If you do the math to compare the maximum height of a column of mercury and a column of water that can be supported by atmospheric pressure at sea level, the ratio is ~13.7 to 1.
Yep ... mercury is nearly 14 times as dense as water. In fact, it's nearly twice as dense as steel! Just try to use melted steel in your barometer.