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Torr

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A torr is a specific unit used to measure pressure. Pressure is the force exerted on a surface. The torr is based on an absolute scale. This means it has a fixed, unchanging value. It is not part of the International System of Units, also known as SI. However, it is frequently used in specialized scientific fields. You might see it paired with the metric prefix milli. This creates the millitorr, or mTorr, which equals 0.001 Torr.

To understand the torr, we must look at its mathematical definition. One torr is defined as exactly 1/760 of a standard atmosphere. A standard atmosphere is equal to 101,325 pascals. Because of this ratio, one torr equals approximately 133.322 pascals. This definition is very precise. It is also unambiguous. This means the value does not change based on location. It is independent of the density of mercury or local gravity.

Historically, the torr was linked to the weight of mercury. Scientists once intended for one torr to equal one millimetre of mercury. This was based on the weight of mercury at 0 °C. However, this definition had a problem. The weight of a liquid column depends on gravity. Gravity changes based on your elevation and your latitude. This is due to the rotation and the non-spherical shape of the Earth. Because gravity varies, the old definition was imprecise.

In 1954, the definition of the atmosphere was officially revised. This change happened at the 10th General Conference on Weights and Measures. The conference issued Resolution 4 to fix the standard. They defined one atmosphere as exactly 101,325 pascals. The torr was then redefined as 1/760 of that amount. This modern definition solved the problems of the past. It made the unit reliable for all scientists everywhere.

The unit is named after Evangelista Torricelli. He was an Italian mathematician and physicist. In 1644, he demonstrated the first mercury barometer to the public. A barometer is a tool used to measure atmospheric pressure. Torricelli provided the first modern explanation of how this works. He shared his findings in a letter to Michelangelo Ricci. This letter was dated 11 June 1644. His work allowed the science of meteorology to begin.

There are many different ways to measure pressure. Some units are called manometric units. These include millimetres of mercury or centimetres of water. They depend on the assumed density of a fluid. They also depend on an assumed strength of gravity. Because of this, their use is often discouraged in formal science. Yet, they remain very common in certain jobs. Doctors and physiologists use them in medicine. Scuba divers and weather reporters also use them.

Other pressure units exist for different scientific needs. The bar is a common unit in meteorology. One bar is defined as exactly 100,000 pascals. This is slightly less than one standard atmosphere. The atmosphere (atm) is defined as 101,325 pascals. Scientists also use the torr for high-vacuum physics and engineering. This involves studying environments with very little air. It is important to use the correct symbol. The symbol for torr is an uppercase "Torr". Using a lowercase "t" or the symbol "T" is incorrect. The symbol "T" actually measures magnetic field strength.

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