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Barometer

A barometer is an instrument that measures air pressure by using mercury in a glass tube. It was invented in 1643 by Italian scientist Evangelista Torricelli, who studied how mercury behaved in a vacuum and used this to create the first barometer. There are two main types of barometers - a mercury barometer, which uses a glass tube filled with mercury and measures changes in the mercury level, and an aneroid barometer, which does not use fluid but instead uses a sealed metal box that expands and contracts in response to pressure changes.

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245 views2 pages

Barometer

A barometer is an instrument that measures air pressure by using mercury in a glass tube. It was invented in 1643 by Italian scientist Evangelista Torricelli, who studied how mercury behaved in a vacuum and used this to create the first barometer. There are two main types of barometers - a mercury barometer, which uses a glass tube filled with mercury and measures changes in the mercury level, and an aneroid barometer, which does not use fluid but instead uses a sealed metal box that expands and contracts in response to pressure changes.

Uploaded by

vijay kumar honnali
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Barometer

A barometer is an instrument used to measure air pressure as it varies with distance either above
or below sea level. Italian scientist Evangelista Torricelli invented the barometer in the year
1643. He studied the characteristics of mercury when placed in a vacuum and used that theory to
develop the first barometer.

Table of Contents

 How does a Barometer work?


 Types of Barometer

 Mercury Barometer
 Aneroid Barometer
 How to make a barometer?
 Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

How does a Barometer work?


The working of a barometer depends on balancing mercury weight in the glass tube with respect
to the atmospheric pressure. If the weight of the mercury is less than atmospheric pressure, the
mercury level will increase. And if the weight of the mercury is more than the atmospheric
pressure, the mercury level will decrease. The rising and falling of the mercury are measured
using the inch scale marked on the glass tube.

Types of Barometer
A barometer is divided into two types as follows: 

 Mercury Barometer
 Aneroid Barometer

Mercury Barometer
This is the most commonly used barometer. Torricelli invented this in the year 1643. It consists
of a glass column with mercury and inches markings on it. The top end of the tube is closed, and
the bottom end is rested in a cup containing mercury known as a cistern. To increase the
accuracy, these barometers are corrected for ambient temperature and the local value of gravity.
The reason why mercury is used is because of its density.

Aneroid Barometer
This barometer is made without fluid. It consists of an aneroid capsule, a thin and flexible metal
box made from an alloy of beryllium and copper. For better expansion and contraction of levers
and springs of the box, which is due to a change in atmospheric pressure outside the box, the box
is tightly sealed.

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