A long U-tube contains mercury (density = 14 x 10³ kg/m³).When 10 cm of water (density = 1.0 x 10³ kg/m ³)is poured into the left arm, the mercury in the right arm rises above its original level by: A)0.36 cm B)0.72 cm C)14 cm D)35 cm E)70 cm

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The difference in height of mercury is due to the pressure exerted by the 10 cm column of water. Using the formula for pressure difference, $P = h\rho g$, and equating it to the pressure due to the mercury column, we find the height difference. Given the density ratio of mercury to water is 13.6, the height of the mercury column that would exert the same pressure as a 10 cm water column is $10 \, \text{cm} / 13.6 = 0.735 \, \text{cm}$. Since the mercury level rises in one arm and falls in the other, the actual change in height observed in one arm is half of this, or approximately 0.36 cm.

A Long U-Tube Contains Mercury (Density = 14 X 103

A Long U-Tube Contains Mercury (Density = 14 X 10³