Barometer

CCA! Volume 6

About CCA!

Barometer

The use of a mercury barometer to measure air pressure is demonstrated.

The mercury barometer is described.

View Movie
.4 MB
12 Seconds

The level of mercury must be adjusted before reading the barometer.

The barometer's sliding scale is positioned at the top of the meniscus.

View Movie
.8 MB
25 Seconds

View Slides
14 Slide(s)

The barometer's vernier scale is read.

The level of mercury must be adjusted before reading the barometer.

In order to measure pressure accurately, the tip of the indicator peg must just touch the surface of mercury in the reservoir.

The barometer's sliding scale is positioned at the top of the meniscus.

A series of slides shows the barometer's sliding scale as it is moves into the appropriate position.

Barometers are constructed using glass tubes filled with mercury. Two methods are used to fill the tubes and differently shaped tubes are used.