Convert the following measurement into the desired unit: 500 torr = _ atm.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Answer: 500 torr=0.6579 atm500 \text{ torr} = 0.6579 \text{ atm}
Explanation (Approximately 300 Words)
Pressure is a physical quantity that expresses the force applied perpendicular to the surface of an object per unit area. In science, pressure is commonly measured in several units including atmospheres (atm), torr, pascals (Pa), and millimeters of mercury (mmHg). These units are related through standard conversion factors.
To convert torr to atm, it’s essential to understand their relationship: 1 atm=760 torr1 \text{ atm} = 760 \text{ torr}
This means that one atmosphere of pressure is equal to 760 torr, which is based on standard atmospheric pressure at sea level.
To convert 500 torr to atmospheres, use the following conversion formula: Pressure in atm=Pressure in torr760\text{Pressure in atm} = \frac{\text{Pressure in torr}}{760} Pressure in atm=500760≈0.6579 atm\text{Pressure in atm} = \frac{500}{760} \approx 0.6579 \text{ atm}
So, 500 torr is approximately 0.6579 atm.
This conversion is commonly used in chemistry and physics, especially in gas law calculations (like Boyle’s, Charles’s, or the Ideal Gas Law), where it’s often necessary to convert pressure to a consistent unit to maintain dimensional accuracy in equations.
Using consistent units ensures accurate interpretation of gas behavior under varying conditions of temperature, pressure, and volume. For example, in the Ideal Gas Law (PV = nRT), pressure must typically be in atm when using R = 0.0821 L·atm/mol·K.
Thus, being able to convert pressure units like torr to atm is crucial for scientific problem-solving and understanding the behavior of gases in different environments.