convert a pressure of 564 torr to atm (given: 1 atm = 760 torr)
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To convert a pressure of 564 torr to atmospheres (atm), we use the conversion factor: 1 atm=760 torr1 \, \text{atm} = 760 \, \text{torr}1atm=760torr
So: 564 torr760 torr/atm=0.7421 atm\frac{564 \, \text{torr}}{760 \, \text{torr/atm}} = 0.7421 \, \text{atm}760torr/atm564torr=0.7421atm
Final Answer: 0.7421 atm
Textbook-Style Explanation
Pressure is a measure of force exerted per unit area. In chemistry and physics, pressure is commonly measured using various units, including atmospheres (atm), torr, millimeters of mercury (mmHg), and pascals (Pa). One of the standard conversions in pressure measurement is between torr and atmospheres. The torr is named after Evangelista Torricelli, an Italian physicist who invented the barometer. By international agreement, 1 atmosphere is defined as exactly 760 torr.
To convert a pressure given in torr to atmospheres, a simple proportion is used based on this equivalency. The number of torr is divided by 760, the number of torr in one atmosphere. This results in the pressure expressed in atmospheres.
In this problem, the given pressure is 564 torr. Using the conversion factor: Pressure in atm=Pressure in torr760\text{Pressure in atm} = \frac{\text{Pressure in torr}}{760}Pressure in atm=760Pressure in torr Pressure in atm=564760≈0.7421\text{Pressure in atm} = \frac{564}{760} \approx 0.7421Pressure in atm=760564≈0.7421
The resulting value, 0.7421 atm, represents the same physical pressure as 564 torr, but expressed in the atmosphere unit. This conversion is especially useful in gas law calculations, where pressure must often be in atmospheres to match other constants, such as the gas constant R=0.0821 L\cdotpatm/mol\cdotpKR = 0.0821 \, \text{L·atm/mol·K}R=0.0821L\cdotpatm/mol\cdotpK.
Understanding unit conversions is essential in science because different measurement systems are used in various fields and countries. Accurate conversions allow scientists and students to work with consistent units and ensure proper communication and understanding of data.
