A thin tube sealed at both ends is 100 cm long. It lies horizontally, the middle 20 cm containing mercury and two equal ends containing air at standard atmospheric pressure. If the tube is now turned

Question

A thin tube sealed at both ends is 100 cm long. It lies horizontally, the middle 20 cm containing mercury and two equal ends containing air at standard atmospheric pressure. If the tube is now turned to a vertical position, by what amount will the mercury be displaced? (Given : cross section of the tube can be assumed to be uniform)

TestHub · Accepted Answer

Each air column is 40 cm at P 0 ​ = 76 cm Hg . Let the mercury shift by x . ​ 76 × 40 = P 1 ​ ( 40 − x ) = P 2 ​ ( 40 + x ) and P 1 ​ − P 2 ​ = 20. ​ x 2 + 304 x − 1600 = 0 ⇒ x ≈ 5.18 cm . ​

Physics - Heat & Thermo Question with Solution | TestHub

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