Q. A cylindrical vessel is filled with equal amounts of weight of mercury on water. The overall height of the two layers is 29.2 cm, specific gravity of mercury is 13.6. Then the pressure of the liquid at the bottom of the vessel is
A) 29.2 cm of water
B) 29.2 /13.6 cm of mercury
C) 4 cm of mercury
D) 15.6 cm of mercury
Explanation
(c) Let $A$ be the area of cross-section of the cylindrical vessel and $x$ cm be the height of mercury in vessel. The height of water in the vessel $= (29.2 \times x)$ cm
As per question
$Ax \times 13.6 = (29.2 - x) \times 1$ or $x = 2\ cm$
$\therefore$ Height of water column
$= (29.2 - 2) = 27.2\ cm$
$\therefore$ Pressure of the liquids at the bottom
$= 27.2$ cm of water column +2 cm of Hg column
$= \frac{27.2}{13.6}$ of Hg column +2 cm of Hg column
$= 4$ cm of Hg column
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.