Explain why water cannot be used in place of mercury in a barometer?

Solution

The atmospheric pressure at sea level = 76cm of Hg = 1.013x10⁵Pascal.

If we fill the water in barometer tube, the height of water column required to balance the atmospheric pressure will be,

h = \frac{Atmospheric Pressure}{Density of water \times acceleration due to gravity} = \frac{1.013 \times 10^{5}}{1000 \times 9.81} = 10.326 m

That is, if water is used in barometer tube instead of mercury, the length of the tube must be greater than 10.326 cm. A greater height will be difficult to hold in a vertical position and needs a high tower to install the barometer.

So, we cannot replace mercury by water in the barometer.

Some More Questions From Mechanical Properties of Fluids Chapter

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Mechanical Properties Of Fluids

Explain why water cannot be used in place of mercury in a barometer?

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