In fields such as physics, engineering, and meteorology, pressure is commonly measured using different units depending on the region or application. Torr and pascals (Pa) are both units of pressure, but they belong to different systems: the Torr is part of the imperial system, while pascals are part of the SI (International System of Units).

If you’re working with pressure measurements and need to convert from Torr to pascals, this guide will help you understand how to do that quickly and accurately.

Why Convert Torr to Pascals?

Understanding how to convert Torr to pascals is useful in various scientific, engineering, and technical fields. For example:

• Torr is often used in laboratory settings, particularly in the measurement of vacuum pressure.
• Pascals are used internationally in scientific research, engineering, and in many industries (such as HVAC, automotive, and meteorology), making pascals the preferred unit in most scientific calculations and equations.

Converting between these units allows for easier communication across different measurement systems, especially when you are working with international teams or scientific publications.

Conversion Formula: Torr to Pascals

The Torr is a unit of pressure based on the pressure exerted by a 1-mm column of mercury (Hg) at the Earth’s surface, while the pascal is the SI unit of pressure. The relationship between the two is defined as:

1 Torr = 133.322368 Pascals (Pa)

Thus, to convert Torr to pascals, you multiply the number of Torr by 133.322368.

Formula: Pascals (Pa) = Torr (Torr) × 133.322368

Step-by-Step Guide: Converting Torr to Pascals

1. Identify the number of Torr (Torr) you want to convert.
2. Multiply the number of Torr by 133.322368.
3. The result will give you the pressure in pascals (Pa).

Example 1: Converting 5 Torr to Pascals

Let’s say you have 5 Torr and you want to convert it to pascals:

5 Torr × 133.322368 = 666.61184 Pascals

So, 5 Torr equals 666.61 Pascals (rounded to two decimal places).

Example 2: Converting 10 Torr to Pascals

Now, let’s convert 10 Torr to pascals:

10 Torr × 133.322368 = 1,333.22368 Pascals

So, 10 Torr equals 1,333.22 Pascals (rounded to two decimal places).

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Torr vs Pascals: Key Differences

Unit	Description	Use
Torr	A unit of pressure based on the height of a 1-mm column of mercury. 1 Torr ≈ 1 mm Hg.	Commonly used in laboratories, particularly in vacuum systems.
Pascal (Pa)	The SI unit of pressure. 1 Pa = 1 N/m² (Newton per square meter).	Used in scientific research, engineering, and many industrial applications worldwide.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many pascals are in 20 Torr?

To convert 20 Torr to pascals:

20 Torr × 133.322368 = 2,666.44736 Pascals

So, 20 Torr equals 2,666.45 Pascals (rounded to two decimal places).

2. Why is 1 Torr equal to 133.322368 pascals?

This conversion comes from the historical definition of the Torr. The Torr is defined as 1/760th of an atmosphere, and since 1 atmosphere (atm) is defined as 101,325 pascals (Pa), dividing 101,325 by 760 gives 133.322368 Pa, which is the value for 1 Torr.

3. Can I use this conversion for all pressures in Torr?

Yes, the conversion factor 133.322368 works for any pressure measured in Torr. Simply multiply the number of Torr by 133.322368 to convert to pascals.

4. What is the difference between Torr and mmHg?

The Torr and mmHg (millimeter of mercury) are very closely related, with 1 Torr = 1 mmHg. Both are based on the same physical concept of the height of a column of mercury, and the terms are often used interchangeably. In this context, converting between Torr and pascals is equivalent to converting mmHg to pascals.

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Quick Conversion Table

Here’s a handy reference table for quickly converting Torr to Pascals:

Torr (Torr)	Pascals (Pa)
1	133.322368
5	666.61184
10	1,333.22
20	2,666.45
50	6,666.12
100	13,332.24
500	66,661.18
1,000	133,322.37

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Final Thoughts

Converting Torr to pascals is simple once you know the conversion factor of 133.322368. By multiplying the number of Torr by this factor, you can quickly and easily calculate the equivalent pressure in pascals. Whether you’re working with pressure measurements in vacuum systems, scientific experiments, or engineering applications, understanding how to convert between these two units is crucial for accurate calculations and communication.