MERCURY BAROMETER

AND APPLICATIONS IN LIFE

I/ What is a Barometer?
In 1643, a physicist and mathematician Torricelli invented a scientific instrument
called the Barometer. It is used for measuring atmospheric pressure, or barometric
pressure. The Earth and all objects on the Earth are subjected to atmospheric pressure.
Structure: One inverted cylindrical tube, open one side, closed the other one.and
contained full of Mercury inside. This tube is dipped in a reservoir, also containing
Mercury.
How a barometer works:

Mercury in the reservoir is pushed by atmospheric pressure above the container =>
Mercury in the tube changes until the weight of mercury and the weight of air outside
the tube is exactly equal. When the two are balanced, the level of mercury will stop
changing. Reading the mercury’s height in the tube to get the result.
II/ Applications of Barometer in normal life:
Though not as common as the modern one, the Mercury Barometer still has its
value and is applicable in life. These are some uses:

Used for teaching Measure atmospheric pressure