Question

A U tube contains water and methylated spirit separated by mercury. The mercury columns in the two arms are at the same level with 10 cm of water in one arm and 12.5 cm of spirit in the other as shown in figure. The relative density of the spirit is

Answer 1

As the mercury column in the two arms of the `U` tube is the same so
`P_(A)=P_(B)impliesrho_(w)gh_(w)=rho_(s)gh_(s)`
`(rho_(s))/(rho_(w))=(h_(w))/(h_(s))=10/12.5=0.8`
Thus specific gravity of the spirit is `0.8`.