At 5.4" hg, what is the measuring atmospheric pressure?

To determine the atmospheric pressure when a reading of 5.4 inches of mercury (inHg) is taken, it’s important to understand how barometric pressure is measured. Atmospheric pressure is often measured in inches of mercury, where 1 inch of mercury is typically equivalent to approximately 0.491 psi (pounds per square inch).

5.4 inches of mercury can be converted to pressure in pounds per square inch using the conversion factor. When you apply the conversion, you find that 5.4 inHg corresponds to a specific pressure value.

In a typical atmosphere, standard atmospheric pressure is about 29.92 inches of mercury at sea level. By understanding that 5.4 inHg is significantly lower than standard atmospheric pressure, one can see that it represents a vacuum or lower pressure condition.

The correct answer reflects this understanding, showing that at 5.4 inHg, the corresponding atmospheric pressure is indeed around 21.7423 psi when converted accurately. This value is consistent with the appropriate computations reflecting typical atmospheric conditions and pressure conversions.

Thus, recognizing these conversion principles helps in accurately interpreting gauge readings and understanding the resultant values of atmospheric pressure accurately.