A laboratory micro-manometer is designed to monitor pressure changes in an industrial chamber, as shown in the schematic diagram below:
Explain, in terms of the kinetic theory of gases, how the gas trapped inside the rigid chamber exerts a pressure on the flexible membrane.
Initially, the flexible membrane is flat and the pointer is horizontal. The micro-manometer is then transferred into a hyperbaric chamber where the surrounding external air pressure is significantly increased.
Explain the effect of this external pressure increase on the different parts of the micro-manometer, and describe the resulting movement of the pointer. (Assume the temperature of the trapped gas remains constant.)
Suggest two design modifications that could be made to this micro-manometer to increase the sensitivity (deflection of the pointer) for a given change in pressure.
The micro-manometer is returned to normal room conditions. A technician then gently warms the rigid chamber to calibrate the device.
State how this warming affects the position of the free end of the pointer.
Using ideas about particles, explain why this change occurs.
