1 atm equals 101325 pascals.
The atmosphere (atm) is a unit of pressure commonly used to measure air pressure at sea level. Converting 1 atm to pascals involves multiplying by the exact number of pascals in one atmosphere, which is 101325 Pa, resulting in the pressure value in SI units.
Conversion Tool
Result in pascals:
Conversion Formula
To convert atmospheres (atm) to pascals (Pa), multiply the atm value by 101325. This works because 1 atm is defined as exactly 101325 pascals. The formula is:
Pressure (Pa) = Pressure (atm) × 101325
Why is this so? Because pascal is an SI unit for pressure, defined as one newton per square meter. The atmosphere unit was created based on average air pressure at sea level, which equals 101325 pascals.
Example calculation:
- Given: 1 atm
- Formula: 1 atm × 101325 Pa/atm
- Result: 101325 Pa
Conversion Example
- Convert 2 atm to pascals:
- Multiply 2 by 101325
- 2 × 101325 = 202650 Pa
- The pressure is 202650 pascals.
- Convert 0.5 atm to pascals:
- Multiply 0.5 by 101325
- 0.5 × 101325 = 50662.5 Pa
- Pressure equals 50662.5 pascals.
- Convert 10 atm to pascals:
- 10 × 101325 = 1,013,250 Pa
- So, 10 atmospheres is 1,013,250 pascals.
- Convert 3.3 atm to pascals:
- 3.3 × 101325 = 334372.5 Pa
- This means 3.3 atm equals 334372.5 pascals.
Conversion Chart
| atm | pascals (Pa) |
|---|---|
| -24.0 | -2,431,800 |
| -20.0 | -2,026,500 |
| -15.0 | -1,519,875 |
| -10.0 | -1,013,250 |
| -5.0 | -506,625 |
| 0.0 | 0 |
| 1.0 | 101,325 |
| 5.0 | 506,625 |
| 10.0 | 1,013,250 |
| 15.0 | 1,519,875 |
| 20.0 | 2,026,500 |
| 26.0 | 2,634,450 |
This chart shows atm values from -24.0 to 26.0 and their equivalent pressure in pascals. Use it by finding your atm value in the left column, then reading across for the pascal value. Negative values represent pressures below atmospheric pressure.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many pascals are equal to 1 atmosphere of pressure?
- What is the exact pascal value for 1 atm in SI units?
- Is 1 atm always equal to 101325 pascals?
- How to convert 1 atm to pascals quickly without calculator?
- Why does 1 atm equal 101325 pascals and not a rounded number?
- Can I use 100000 pascals instead of 1 atm for calculations?
- What is the difference between atm and pascals for measuring pressure?
Conversion Definitions
atm (atmosphere): A unit of pressure based on air pressure at sea level, defined as exactly 101325 pascals. It measures force per unit area, commonly used in meteorology and engineering. One atm equals the pressure exerted by a 760 mm column of mercury at 0°C at sea level.
pascals (Pa): The SI derived unit for pressure, defined as one newton per square meter. It quantifies force applied over an area. Pascals express pressure in scientific fields and engineering, replacing older units like atmospheres or mmHg for precision and consistency.
Conversion FAQs
Why is 1 atm exactly 101325 pascals, not a rounded value?
1 atm was originally based on the average atmospheric pressure at sea level measured in the 19th century. The value 101325 Pa is an internationally agreed standard to maintain consistency across scientific measurements. It reflects precise experimental data rather than being rounded for simplicity.
Can pressure in atm be negative? How does that translate to pascals?
Pressure below atmospheric pressure is often called gauge pressure and can be negative relative to atm. Negative atm values represent pressure less than sea level atmospheric pressure. When converted, negative atm values become negative pascals, indicating less force per area than standard atmospheric conditions.
Is converting atm to pascals the same for gases and liquids?
The conversion from atm to pascals remains the same regardless of the substance, because atm and pascals are units of pressure. However, actual pressure values in gases or liquids may differ based on physical conditions, but the unit conversion formula does not change.
Why use pascals instead of atm in scientific calculations?
Pascals are the SI unit and fit into the metric system easily, making calculations involving multiple physical quantities simpler. While atm is convenient for everyday use and approximations, pascals provide precision needed in engineering, physics, and chemistry.
How accurate is the conversion from atm to pascals for practical applications?
The conversion is exact by definition, so it is very accurate. Practical measurements of pressure might have errors, but converting units using 1 atm = 101325 Pa will not introduce any inaccuracies.
