Torr to Pascal Converter
Convert from Torr (mmHg) to Pascal (Pa)
Understanding Torr and Pascal
The torr is a unit of pressure named after Evangelista Torricelli, who invented the mercury barometer.
- 1 torr is defined as 1/760 of standard atmospheric pressure
- Approximately equal to 1 mmHg (millimeter of mercury)
- Standard atmospheric pressure is 760 torr
- Commonly used in vacuum technology, scientific research, and some medical applications
The pascal (Pa) is the SI unit of pressure, defined as one newton per square meter.
- Named after Blaise Pascal, a 17th-century physicist and mathematician
- 1 Pa = 1 N/m² (one newton per square meter)
- Standard atmospheric pressure is approximately 101,325 Pa
- The official SI unit for pressure used in scientific and engineering contexts worldwide
Conversion Formula
Torr to Pascal:
Pa = Torr × 133.322
To convert from torr to pascals, multiply the torr value by approximately 133.322.
Pascal to Torr:
Torr = Pa ÷ 133.322
To convert from pascals to torr, divide the pascal value by approximately 133.322.
Torr to Pascal Conversion Table
| Torr (mmHg) | Pascal (Pa) |
|---|---|
| 10 | 1,333.22 |
| 20 | 2,666.44 |
| 30 | 3,999.66 |
| 40 | 5,332.88 |
| 50 | 6,666.1 |
| 60 | 7,999.32 |
| 70 | 9,332.54 |
| 80 | 10,665.76 |
| 90 | 11,998.98 |
| 100 | 13,332.2 |
Historical Context and Applications
Historical Development
The torr unit is named after Evangelista Torricelli, an Italian physicist who invented the mercury barometer in 1643. His landmark experiment involved filling a tube with mercury and inverting it into a basin, creating what was arguably the first man-made vacuum and demonstrating atmospheric pressure. The pascal, named after French mathematician and physicist Blaise Pascal, was officially adopted as the SI unit of pressure in 1971. Pascal's work in the 17th century on hydraulics and atmospheric pressure laid important groundwork for our modern understanding of pressure.
Common Applications
- Torr: Primarily used in vacuum science and technology, where pressures are typically much lower than atmospheric pressure. Common in laboratory settings for vacuum distillation, electron microscopy, and semiconductor manufacturing. Also used in some medical applications, particularly for blood pressure (though mmHg is the more common term).
- Pascal: The standard SI unit used in scientific research, engineering calculations, and international technical documentation. Used in fluid dynamics, acoustics, materials science, and virtually all branches of physics and engineering that deal with pressure.
Practical Examples
- Standard atmospheric pressure: 760 torr (101,325 Pa)
- Human blood pressure (normal systolic): ~120 torr (~16,000 Pa)
- Typical laboratory vacuum: 1 torr (133.322 Pa)
- High vacuum: 10⁻³ torr (0.133 Pa)
- Ultra-high vacuum: 10⁻⁹ torr (1.33×10⁻⁷ Pa)
- Enter your value in the torr field
- The converter instantly displays the equivalent in pascals
- Use the swap button to convert from pascals to torr instead
- Results are displayed with 6 decimal places for precision
- For quick reference without calculations, refer to the conversion table above
This converter is particularly useful for scientists and engineers working with vacuum technology or for anyone needing to translate between traditional laboratory pressure measurements and the modern SI system.