For a pressure of 11.1" hg, what is the specific gravity value reported?

To understand why the specific gravity value of 0.0231 is correct for a pressure of 11.1 inches of mercury (Hg), it is important to recognize what specific gravity represents. Specific gravity is a dimensionless quantity that compares the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance, typically water for solids and liquids, and often air for gases.

When measuring pressures in inches of mercury, converting the pressure to a corresponding density is crucial for calculating specific gravity. The standard density of mercury is approximately 13.6 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³), and the density of air at standard temperature and pressure is about 0.001225 g/cm³.

To convert 11.1 inches of mercury to density:

1. Determine the conversion factor from inches of mercury to the equivalent pressure in pascals or to their corresponding density.

2. Realize that 11.1 inches of mercury is significantly lower than the standard atmospheric pressure, leading to a much lower density value for the gas, which can be calculated based on the specific gas laws.

After performing the necessary conversions, the computed specific gravity against standard air would yield the value of 0.0231. This low specific gravity indicates that the substance