Question

a technician reads and records the air pressure from several pressure gauges. the table shows each air pressure reading in pascals (pa). a pascal is a unit used to measure the amount of force applied on a given area by air or other gases.

pressure gauge	air pressure (pa)
b	5.2×10⁵
c	170 000

a) which pressure gauge has the greatest reading?
b) which pressure gauge has the lowest reading?
c) the atmospheric pressure when these readings were made was 1.1×10⁵ pascals. which gauge(s) showed a reading greater than the atmospheric pressure?

Explanation:

Step1: Convert values to standard form

Gauge A: $210000 = 2.1\times10^{5}$
Gauge B: $5.2\times 10^{5}$
Gauge C: $170000=1.7\times 10^{5}$
Atmospheric pressure: $1.1\times 10^{5}$

Step2: Compare values for part a

Compare $2.1\times10^{5}$, $5.2\times 10^{5}$ and $1.7\times 10^{5}$. Since $5.2>2.1 > 1.7$, gauge B has the greatest reading.

Step3: Compare values for part b

Since $1.7<2.1 < 5.2$, gauge C has the lowest reading.

Step4: Compare with atmospheric pressure for part c

Compare $2.1\times10^{5}$, $5.2\times 10^{5}$, $1.7\times 10^{5}$ with $1.1\times 10^{5}$. Gauge A ($2.1\times10^{5}$) and Gauge B ($5.2\times 10^{5}$) have readings greater than $1.1\times 10^{5}$.

Answer:

a) B
b) C
c) A, B