Question 1

What is a hectopascal?

Accepted Answer

1 hPa = 100 Pa = 1 millibar. Standard unit for weather/atmospheric pressure. 1013 hPa = sea level pressure.

Question 2

Why do meteorologists use hPa?

Accepted Answer

hPa equals millibar, the traditional weather unit. Easy numbers: sea level ~1013 hPa, storms <1000 hPa.

Question 3

What pressure units do different industries use?

Accepted Answer

PSI in US/UK automotive and HVAC. Bar/kPa in European engineering. mmHg/torr in medicine. Atmospheres in diving and altitude.

Question 4

Is gauge pressure different from absolute pressure?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Gauge pressure reads 0 at atmospheric pressure. Absolute pressure adds atmospheric (~14.7 psi). Vacuum gauge shows negative gauge pressure.

Hectopascal to PSI Pressure Converter - Free Online Tool

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