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Why is only mercury used in boyle’s law experiment. Why can’t we use glycerin or something else?

Why is only mercury used in boyle’s law experiment. Why can’t we use glycerin or something else?

Grade:12th Pass

3 Answers

Pramit P Panthayil
19 Points
6 years ago
Mercury, unlike glycerine or oil is non-viscous, and unlike water, it is non-adhesive (cohesive). It therefore flows easily and doesn’t stick to the sides of the container. 
Also, Pressure is measured as P= hρg, where h is the height of the liquid, ρ(rho) is the relative density (specific gravity) of the liquid, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. this implies h is inversely proportional to density.
The relative density of mercury is 13.56 implying that it is 13.56 times denser than water and therefore rises to a height 13.56 times less than water in the Boyles apparatus.
Mercury in the Boyle's apparatus rises to 760mm at sea level (therefore atmospheric pressure=760mmHg). On the other hand, if water had been used in the place of mercury, it would rise to 10305.5mm, which necessitates such a long and cumbersome apparatus, which incidentally due to the reasons above-mentioned, also less accurate.
Pramit P Panthayil
19 Points
6 years ago
Mercury, unlike glycerine or oil is non-viscous, and unlike water, it is non-adhesive (cohesive). It therefore flows easily and doesn’t stick to the sides of the container. 
Also, Pressure is measured as P= hρg, where h is the height of the liquid, ρ(rho) is the relative density (specific gravity) of the liquid, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. this implies h is inversely proportional to density.
The relative density of mercury is 13.56 implying that it is 13.56 times denser than water and therefore rises to a height 13.56 times less than water in the Boyles apparatus.
Mercury in the Boyle's apparatus rises to 760mm at sea level (therefore atmospheric pressure=760mmHg). On the other hand, if water had been used in the place of mercury, it would rise to 10305.5mm, which necessitates such a long and cumbersome apparatus, which incidentally due to the reasons above-mentioned, also less accurate..
Charitha Gorrela
22 Points
6 years ago
thankyou, that has been helpful

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