What pressure does a 5 cm high mercury column produce? How high is the alcohol post producing the same pressure?

Initial data: h1 (height of the mercury column) = 5 cm (0.05 m).

Reference data: g (acceleration due to gravity) = 9.81 m / s2; ρ1 (density of mercury) = 13600 kg / m3; ρ2 (density of alcohol) = 800 kg / m3.

1) Let’s calculate the pressure of the mercury column: P = ρ1 * g * h1 = 13600 * 9.81 * 0.05 = 6670.8 Pa.

2) Determine the height of the column of alcohol: h2 = P / (ρ2 * g) = 6670.8 / (800 * 9.81) = 0.85 m (85 cm).

Answer: A column of mercury produces a pressure of 6670.8 Pa; the design pressure corresponds to a column of alcohol 85 cm high.