How do you convert 190 mm Hg to kilopascals?

1 Answer
Mar 22, 2016

By conversion to atmospheres then to kilopascals. The answer is approx. #25# #kPa#

Explanation:

#1# #atm# supports a column of mercury #760# #mm# high.

#1# #atm# #=# #101.325# #kPa#

So #(190*cancel"mm Hg")/(760*cancel"mm Hg" cancel(atm^-1)# #xx101.325*kPa*cancel(atm^-1)# #=# #??# #kPa#.

Even given the safety concerns, the use of mercury manometers in laboratories will continue, as it is a very convenient way to measure pressure. Mind you, if your manometer breaks, and you spill mercury, you're in for a hell of a cleanup job - spilled mercury gets everywhere, at least you can cry over it, and you will.