How to Read a U-tube Manometer
- 1
Utilize a tape measure to find distances.tape measure ruler image by MichMac from Fotolia.com
Measure the vertical distance in inches between the top of the liquid in the left and right portions of the U-shaped tube. As an example, assume a vertical distance of 16.0 inches. - 2). Convert the vertical distance to meters by dividing by 39.37, since a single meter contains 39.37 inches. Using the example, you have 16.0 inches divided by 39.37 inches per meter, which equals 0.41 meters. Metric units must be used since scientific equations utilize the metric system.
- 3). Multiply the vertical distance by 9.8 meters per second squared and by the density of the liquid in kilograms per cubic meter to obtain the pressure difference in pascals between the closed reservoir and the surrounding air. The quantity 9.8 meters per second squared is the acceleration due to gravity on the earth's surface and represents how rapidly a falling object accelerates. For the sample calculation, for the liquid use mercury, which has a density of 13,600 kilograms per cubic meter. Concluding the example computation leads to 0.41 meters times 9.8 meters per second squared times 13,600 kilograms per cubic meter, resulting in a pressure of 54,645 pascals.
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