3.

3 Understanding Gas Pressure and Atmospheric Pressure

Gas Pressure
Atmospheric Pressure

Caused by the collisions of gas molecules with the walls

of the container.

Caused by the downward force exerted by air, which is

the weight of the atmosphere on Earths surface.

Atmospheric pressure > Weight of the liquid

Atmospheric pressure supports the cardboard.
The higher the altitude, the higher the pressure.
Measured by:
Barometer
o Aneroid barometer
o Fortin barometer
o Simple / Mercury barometer

Air molecules striking

inside the ball

The gas molecules in the ball are in random motion.

They collide all over the inner surface of the ball.
The force exerted on the surface by the collisions results
air pressure in the ball.
Pressure = Force
Area

Measured by:
o Bourdon Gauge
o Manometer

Manometer

Simple / Mercury barometer

P gas = P atm + h

Standard Atmospheric Pressure (at sea level),

Patm = 76 cm Hg = 1 atm= 1.01 x 105 Pa.
P gas = P atm h

1 bar = 105 Pa.

Example 2:

P gas = P atm
Example 1:

If the atmospheric pressure is 76 cm Hg, what will be the

pressure of the gas supply?
Solution:
Gas pressure = (76 + 14) cm Hg
= 90 cm Hg

a) What is the value of the atmospheric pressure in cm Hg?

b) What is the pressure at point X in cm Hg?
c) If the density of the mercury is 1.36 x 104 kg m-3 and
acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m s-2, calculate the
atmospheric pressure in Pascal?
Solution:
a)

Patm = 76 cm Hg

b) P at X = (76 + 14) cm Hg
= 90 cm Hg
c)

P = gh

= (1.36 x 104) (9.8) (0.96)

= 1.01 x 105 Pa.
Exercise:
1.

The figure shows a manometer containing mercury is

connected to a gas supply.
If the atmospheric pressure is 76 cm Hg, determine the
pressure of the gas.

Calculate the pressure of the gas supply in the units

(i) cm Hg
(ii) Pa
[Density of mercury = 1.36 x 104 kg m-3 and Atmospheric
pressure = 76 cm Hg ]
2.

The atmospheric pressure is 76 cm Hg. calculate the

atmospheric pressure in the units Pa.
[Density of mercury = 1.36 x104 kg m-3 ].

3.

The figure shows a barometer. The vacuum space is filled

with a gas X.

Answer:
1.

(i) Pgas = Po + length of mercury

= 76 cm + 15 cm = 91 cm Hg
(ii)

Pgas = 0.91 m x 1.36 x 104 x 9.8

= 1.21 x 105 Pa.

[common mistake : students did not change 91 cm to SI

unit]
What is the pressure of the gas X?
[Take atmospheric pressure = 76 cm Hg ]
4.

The figure shows a manometer is connected to a gas

supply.

2.
3.
4.

P atm = 0.76 x 1.36 x 104 x 9.8 = 1.01 x 105 Pa.

76cm 40 cm = 36 cm Hg
106 cm Hg