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An astronaut wishes to measure the atmospheric pressure on Mars using a mercury barometer...

An astronaut wishes to measure the atmospheric pressure on Mars using a mercury barometer like that shown in the figure. The calibration of the barometer is the standard calibration for Earth: 760 mmHg corresponds to a pressure due to Earth’s atmosphere, 1 atm or 101.325 kPa. How does the barometer need to be recalibrated for use in the atmosphere of Mars—by what factor does the barometers scale need to be "stretched"? In her handy table of planetary masses and radii, the astronaut finds that Mars has an average radius of 3.37•106 m and a mass of 6.42 •1023 kg.

Step-by-Step Solution

Solution 1
Step #1 of 5

4815-13-72AP AID: 189| 30/01/2012

RID: 843 | 21/02/2012

Step #2 of 5

THINK

Compare the heights of the barometer when it on the Earth and on Mars

Density of seawater,

Mass of Mars,

Radius of the Mars,

Step #3 of 5

RESEARCH

Calibrated pressure with standard barometer when it is on the Earth,

Here is the density of the mercury

Calibrated pressure with standard barometer when it is on the Mars,

Acceleration due to gravity on the Mars

Step #4 of 5

SIMPLIFY

As the pressure at on the Earth is equal to pressure on the Mars,

…… (1)

Step #5 of 5

CALCULATE

Fraction of barometer’s scale height stretched from equation (1) is

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