interconverting atmposheres and torr

Question

The ocean pressure at the depth of the Titanic wreck is ×3.04104mmHg. Calculate the ocean pressure in atm

 and torr. Round each of your answers to 3 significant digits. 

Answer 1

Conversion factors:

1 atm = 760 mm Hg

1 mm Hg = 1 torr

3.04x10⁴ mm Hg x 1 atm / 760 mm Hg = 40.0 atm

3.04x10⁴ mm Hg x 1 torr / 1 mm Hg = 3.04x10⁴ torr

Answer 2

Hi Monica P.,

if the text you supplied is what you intended, and P = 3.04104 mm Hg, I would suggest that:

1) the datum supplied is far in excess of experimental precision of normal low pressure lab measurements, and

2) this is almost a complete vacuum, not expected at the bottom of the north Atlantic Ocean.

Since other reports are of P ~ 380 atm (not clear if this is guage pressure, or absolute pressure!), that converts to = 380 atm * 760 mm/atm ~ 288800 mm Hg. Still a bit "off" from your value, without the spurious decimal point.

You may find helpful factors on the web; search "pressure units conversion".

And what is an atmposhere? Just curious.

--Cheers, --Mr. d.