A barometer is an instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure, which is the force exerted by the weight of air molecules in the atmosphere. Atmospheric pressure can affect weather patterns, and a barometer can help forecast changes in weather conditions. In this article, we'll discuss the basics of barometers and their importance in weather forecasting.
History of the Barometer
The barometer was invented in the 17th century by Italian physicist Evangelista Torricelli. He filled a glass tube with mercury and inverted it in a bowl of mercury. The mercury in the tube fell until it reached a level where the weight of the mercury in the tube was balanced by the pressure of the atmosphere pushing down on the mercury in the bowl. The height of the mercury column in the tube was a measure of atmospheric pressure.
How a Barometer Works
A barometer works by measuring the weight of the atmosphere above it. When atmospheric pressure is high, the weight of the atmosphere pushing down on the barometer is greater, which causes the mercury column or aneroid box to rise. When atmospheric pressure is low, the weight of the atmosphere pushing down on the barometer is less, which causes the mercury column or aneroid box to fall.
Common Uses of Barometers
Barometers are widely used in weather forecasting, but they are also used in aviation, scuba diving, and industrial applications where accurate pressure measurements are required.
