In the United States, barometric pressures are generally reported in inches of mercury (in. Hg). On a beautiful summer day in Chicago the barometric pressure is 30.45 in. Hg. (a) Convert this pressure to torr. (b) Convert this pressure to atm. (c) A meteorologist explains the nice weather by referring to a "high- pressure area." In light of your answer to parts (a) and (b), explain why this term makes sense.

Short Answer

Expert verified
To convert the given barometric pressure (30.45 in. Hg) to torr and atm, we follow these steps: 1. Convert inches of mercury to millimeters of mercury: Pressure in mm Hg = 30.45 in. Hg × 25.4 = 773.43 mm Hg. 2. Convert millimeters of mercury to torr: Pressure in torr = 773.43 mm Hg (since 1 mm Hg = 1 torr). 3. Convert torr to atmospheres: Pressure in atm = 773.43 torr ÷ 760 = 1.018 atm. Meteorologists refer to nice weather as a "high-pressure area" because high-pressure areas are associated with clear, calm weather due to sinking air suppressing cloud formation and precipitation. Higher atmospheric pressure correlates with better weather conditions.

Step by step solution

01

Convert inches of mercury to millimeters of mercury

To convert the given pressure in inches to millimeters, we'll multiply it by the conversion factor 25.4 mm Hg/in. Hg: Pressure in mm Hg = Pressure in in. Hg × 25.4
02

Convert millimeters of mercury to torr

1 mm Hg is equivalent to 1 torr, so the pressure in torr will be the same as in mm Hg. Pressure in torr = Pressure in mm Hg #b. Convert pressure to atm#
03

Convert torr to atmospheres

To convert pressure in torr to atmospheres, we'll divide the pressure in torr by the conversion factor 760 torr/atm: Pressure in atm = Pressure in torr ÷ 760 #c. Explain the term "high-pressure area"#
04

Relate barometric pressure to meteorology

High-pressure areas are associated with clear, calm weather because they are characterized by sinking air that suppresses cloud formation and precipitation. Low-pressure areas, on the other hand, are characterized by rising air, which facilitates the formation of clouds and precipitation. Thus, a meteorologist would refer to nice weather as being associated with a "high-pressure area" because higher atmospheric pressure correlates with better weather conditions.

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