A 5 cm mercury pellet traps a 20 cm air column in a horizontal narrow tube while the tube accelerates at a = g/2 as shown. Atmospheric pressure is 72.5 cm Hg. If acceleration is reversed with the same magnitude, find the new trapped-air length. Image
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Question

A 5 cm mercury pellet traps a 20 cm air column in a horizontal narrow tube while the tube accelerates at a = g/2 as shown. Atmospheric pressure is 72.5 cm Hg. If acceleration is reversed with the same magnitude, find the new trapped-air length. Image

Select all that apply

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Step 1: Use hydrostatic equilibrium, P₂−P₁ = ρgΔh; in an accelerating fluid replace g by the effective acceleration where required. Step 2: Equate pressures at the same horizontal level or integrate pressure over the stated surface. Applying these relations to the given data gives D: 21.4 cm. Final answer: D.