Question

What are some common mistakes students make with atmospheric pressure?

Answer 1

The units of pressure are the most obvious pratfall.

Explanation:

`"Atmospheres, foot pounds, Pascals, Bar"` are all used as units of pressure in different parts of the world. As a chemist, usually the most easy, most intuitive unit of pressure to use are `mm` `Hg`, and of course these are units of length not units of pressure.

We know that `1` `atm` will support a column of mercury `760*mm` high. So remember `1*atm-=760*mm*Hg`.