Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 14 - Think and Explain - Page 279-281: 61

Answer

The height of the column in a mercury barometer is determined by pressure, not force. A column with twice the cross-sectional area would require twice the force to support the column of mercury, but since the atmosphere is pressing on twice the area, that is no problem. The heights will be the same.
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