Atmospheric Pressure and Its Demonstrations

Try these questions

5 questions from this lesson’s quiz. Start the lesson to answer them and see the right answers.

1. 1. A tin containing steam is sealed and then cooled quickly with cold water. The tin crushes inwards. What is the main reason?

   • A. Cold water flows into the tin and pulls the walls together
   • B. Steam condenses, lowering the pressure inside, so the greater outside air pressure crushes the tin
   • C. The metal becomes soft when heated by the steam
   • D. Cold water makes the tin expand and burst inwards

2. 2. Two hollow hemispheres are joined and the air inside is pumped out to form a vacuum. Atmospheric pressure is 100,000 Pa and the area of the outside surface that the air presses on is 0.2 m^2. Calculate the inward force holding the hemispheres together.

   Type your answer (in N) in the lesson.

3. 3. Why is the atmospheric pressure on the summit of Mount Kenya lower than in Mombasa?

   • A. Strong winds blow all the air away from the summit
   • B. Cold temperatures destroy air particles
   • C. Gravity is much weaker at the summit
   • D. There is a shorter column of less dense air above the summit

4. 4. A glass tumbler is filled with water, covered with a stiff card and turned upside down. The card stays in place. Which statement explains this?

   • A. The water sticks to the card like glue
   • B. The upward atmospheric pressure on the card is much greater than the downward pressure of the water
   • C. The card is heavier than the water
   • D. There is no air pressure acting on the card

5. 5. Name the instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure.

   Type your answer in the lesson.

More in Pressure

• ▸Relationship of Physics to Other Disciplines
• ▸Physics in Daily Life and Nation
• ▸Physics Career Pathways
• ▸Introduction to Pressure and Solid Pressure
• ▸Pressure in Liquids and Depth
• ▸The Fluid Pressure Formula
• ▸Measurement of Pressure
• ▸Transmission of Pressure in Fluids

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